Throughout the world and in most cultures drinking wine is associated with good fortune and a long life. Despite the potential for abuse, there exists an extensive body of research that supports the moderate drinking of wine for good heart health and overall general well–being. Many may then ask, what is considered to be a moderate amount of wine? One of the largest studies on alcohol consumption and total mortality was conducted by Professor Arthur Klatsky, M.D. and his colleagues at Kaiser Permanente Hospital Health, in California . His study showed that drinkers of “up to two drinks per day” lived longer and were about 27% percent less likely to die from all causes than abstainers or heavy drinkers. Dr. Klatsky concluded that the increase in longevity for the moderate drinkers was due to lower rates of various diseases including coronary heart disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. In regards to biological mechanisms associated with positive effects of alcohol consumption we know that alcohol improves the blood lipid profile by increasing the good HDL cholesterol and decreasing the bad LDL cholesterol. Alcohol also decreases the chance of developing blood clots that could lead to a stroke. Alcohol reduces our reaction to stress by reducing coronary spasms and blood pressure and increases coronary blood flow. In most cross-cultural studies, populations that normally consume wine have much lower rates of CAD, France for example. French men tend to smoke more, exercise less, eat 30% more saturated fat, and yet have one half as many heart attacks as a similar group of American men. It was documented that French men also drink red wine with their lunch and dinner, up to ten times as much as American men. This so called “French Paradox” of increased heart health along with their “bad” health habits, lead researchers to believe that the red wine in their diet provides a protective element to the coronary vessels. In addition to alcohol, there are hundreds of organic compounds in wine that may play a role in improving one's health. Two such antioxidant compounds are flavonoids and resveratrol which naturally occur on the skin and seeds of grapes, in grape juice, and in wine. The longer the juice stays in contact with the grapes skins/seeds the more flavonoids and resveratrol will end up in the final wine.

Thus scientists concluded that full bodied, dry, red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon will have higher or greater concentrations of these cardio protective compounds compared to other varietals. While white wine does have the benefits of the alcohol it does not have the same amount of flavonoids. If you decide to drink wine to maximize the well documented health benefits, a good rule of thumb for men is to consume one to two 4 oz. glasses per day while women should drink one 4oz. glass. And don't forget to make it a full bodied, dry red wine.

Healthy Tasting!

Brian