The Nutritional Effects of Wine

1
The Nutritional Effects of Wine

• Drinking one to two glasses of red wine a day may
  have several benefits to increase your health

2
The French Paradox

• People in France have a much lower risk of
  getting coronary heart disease than Americans,
  despite having a diet rich in saturated fats.
• The regular and moderate drinking of wine was
  discovered to be one prominent factor.

3
Polyphenols

• Chemical substances found in the grapes used for
  wine
• Research indicates that polyphenols have
  antioxidant characteristics with potential health
  benefits.
• They may reduce the risk of cardiovascular
  disease and cancer.

4
Catechins

• Also called flavonoids, catechins are the type of
  polyphenol believed be a preventative against
  coronary disease and some forms of cancer.
• They also function as anti-oxidants, preventing
  molecules known as "free-radicals" from doing
  cellular damage.

5
Resveratrol

• A polyphenol found in the skins of grapes,
  produced naturally when exposed to yeast during
  fermentation.
• Shown to have antioxidant properties.
• A number of beneficial health effects, such as
  anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, and
  anti-aging effects have been reported in
  non-human species.
• Studies show that the molecules not only protect
  brain cells from the damage of everyday agents
  but also the ethanol present in wine.

6
Resveratrol

• A recent study published in the 2004 year-end
  edition of the American Journal of Physiology
  indicates that resveratrol also
• inhibits the formation of a protein that produces
  a condition called cardio fibrosis, which reduces
  the heart's pumping efficiency when it is needed
  most, at times of stress.
• More evidence suggests that wine dilates the
  small blood vessels and helps to prevent angina
  and clotting.

7
Other Benefits

• The alcohol in wine additionally helps
• balance cholesterol towards the good type.
• Wine might even preserve cognitive function in
  the elderly. Several European studies have shown
  the prophylactic effects of regular light to
  moderate alcohol consumption may include the
  prevention or postponement of Alzheimer's,
  Parkinson's and other forms of dementia.

8
Precautions

• The risk of coronary heart disease is much higher
  in binge or heavy drinkers, so remember to drink
  your wine in moderation.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol, including wine,
  can cause some diseases including cirrhosis of
  the liver and alcoholism.
• A couple of glasses of wine may help relaxation
  and lower blood pressure, but four or more raises
  blood pressure to a level of concern.
• A good general rule is to not consume more than
  one drink (4 ounces of table wine) per hour,
  regardless of size, sex, or a full stomach.

9
References

• http//www.winepros.org/wine101/wine-health.htm
• http//www.kamiljuices.com/health.html