There is good news on the health front for lovers of wine. Everybody’s favorite alcoholic beverage has also been proven to actually be good for you in moderation. Though not a new revelation, the fact that wine can help promote good health still seems to take many people by surprise. Although it is still certainly possible to compromise one’s health by over indulging, there have been many studies which have proven that there are quite a number of health benefits of wine. Lifting a glass or two every night can actually improve your long term health, as well as delight your palette.
Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is typically made from fermenting grapes. Available in a wide variety of colors and varieties, wine is one of the oldest beverages in the world. Often included in religious ceremonies and consumed at meals, wine has long held a special place on the table. It is only in fairly recent years that any studies have been done of the potential health benefits of wine. Although the evidence that wine might have a positive influence on overall health has been there all along, it has only received any attention in the last 20 or so years.
The first studies into the potential health benefits of wine were a result of researchers attempting to determine the cause of the so-called “French Paradox”. It is observed that the French people eat a diet that is similarly high in fat and cholesterol to the diet consumed in the United States, however, there is a much lower incidence of heart disease and other diseases that cause death. Research suggests that the biggest difference in the diets was that the French tend to consume a lot more wine that the Americans do. Further study has produced evidence that seems to support this theory.
Although it is true that there are health benefits associated with drinking wine, it is important that we keep in mind that there may be other factors that contribute to the difference between French health and American health. The health benefits of wine can quickly be overshadowed by the health risks of alcoholism and excessive consumption if we do not take things in stride. Drinking a glass or two of wine with dinner every night can be helpful. Drinking a bottle or two can be harmful. Although it is OK to occasionally indulge in a bit more, keeping things, including wine consumption, in moderation is the key to good health.
