Is Red Wine Good for You?
In recent years there has been a lot written about drinking red wine, touting its benefits to the heart and as an aid to longevity. This buzz was based largely on the so-called “French Paradox”, an observation that the French were a healthy bunch despite the fact that their diet consisted of a lot of high cholesterol, high fat foods, and copious amounts of red wine. Could it be something in the wine that kept the French hearts healthy?
The answer may be resveratrol. This is a substance found in many plant foods especially grapes. Studies on rats have shown it can reduce bad cholesterol and act as an anti-oxidant to slow down aging. Red wine does contain resveratrol, but researchers caution that a person would have to consume at least one, and maybe as many as ten (!) bottles of wine daily in order to reach the desired dose. Needless to say, this is way beyond the level of alcohol consumption that is considered good for heart health.
Resveratrol is available at A Moveable Feast as a liquid or pills. You can protect your heart and increase your chances of longevity without the intoxication of alcohol. Be sure to buy only those brands made by manufacturers that are checked by the FDA for purity. Cheap vitamins are no bargain. Don’t waste your money on them. John Fain