How Important Is to Drink Red Wine

The genius mind Louis Pasteur (French chemist known for discovering pasteurization and how to make vaccines), once said: ‘Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.’

Is it? For a long time, wine fans and those eager to start a ‘wine style’, have been struggling with the paramount question of whether red wine shall be considered the elixir of youth and vitality, or rather a potent poison. Enjoying a glass of full-bodied red wine with your lunch or dinner is surely the best feeling in the world. But the fear that you may be destroying your health by practicing this daily habit will certainly reduce the feeling of pleasure. True enough.

Let’s get things straight, drinking red wine in moderation, is good for you. If you go over the limit, this habit may affect your health, as everything else in life. According to a special study carried out by renowned Harvard researchers, results have indicated that the moderate consumption of red wine boosts the cardiovascular health. In other words, if you drink a glass of quality red wine a day, you will significantly reduce the risks of being diagnosed with a coronary heart disease. And here is how:

• By reducing the ‘bad cholesterol’ – the LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein);
• By boosting the ‘good cholesterol’ – the HDL (High Density Lipoprotein);
• By decreasing blood clotting.

Moderate red-wine consumption is not only good for the heart, but for skin, weight loss, cancer/tumor prevention and treating certain neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s).

Which wines are the healthiest ones and how much to drink?

When it comes to drinking red wine, know that not every red wine offers the same health benefits. Following are the top three healthiest red wines to turn to:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir
• Petit Syrah

These wines have shown to contain very high concentration of flavonoids, which are prevalent for getting the most out of health benefits.

In terms of how much red wine should be consumed, medical experts recommend one serving of 120ml a day for women, and two servings of the same dose of red wine on a daily basis for men. Study results have also reported that binge and occasional red-wine drinkers have higher mortality rates, rather than people who drink red wine on a regular basis. However, let’s not forget that long-term and excessive alcohol consumption (including red wine) can damage the pancreas, the liver and the nerve cells. Thus, drink smart.