Could wine ACTUALLY be good for me?  Some studies say, yes…it is.  In moderation of course.  This is not an excuse to get ripped on wine every time and say that it’s good for me.  Quite the contrary.  It’s no different than saying a particular food is good for you.  That may well be, but if you eat too much of it, you’re going to get sick.  Everything in moderation folks! But, continue reading and what you may find…might surprise you.

I got a deck of cards this past Christmas featuring “wine trivia” and “wine history”.  Last night, as I was going through them, I found one card in particular that stood out.  Here it is..
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I would say that’s good news all around!

Not only does it say that red wine in moderation can be good for you, but white wine also. (Benefits seem to come more from the red wine as all the “goodies” are mostly found in the skins and the seeds.) Believe me, I’m certainly not a medical expert, but I do a lot of reading, and I’ve included some links below for further verification.  One of the things that I DO know, is that I’m not sick very often.  Perhaps it’s my genetics, or my immune system, but I can probably count on one hand how many sick days (meaning missing work) I’ve had in the last 5 years.  According to my research, red wine (in moderation) boosts your immune system.  I would have to agree with that, as I enjoy wine on a regular basis, and am hardly ever ill.  I also live in a very cold climate where the flu shot is offered every winter, and right now, the flu seems to be running rampant. FYI, since the flu shot has been offered (and recommended), I’ve never had the shot, and can say that I’ve never had the flu so bad that it’s made me miss work.

Let me break it down a little for you:

• Flavonoids are an antioxidant in grapes that may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. You can also find high amounts of flavonoids in green tea, cocoa and apples.
• Resveratrol is a type of flavonoid found primarily in grape skins, blueberries and cranberries. It appears to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and may help prevent damage to blood vessels. (another FYI, my levels of cholesterol, for as long as I’ve been going for yearly check-ups is “excellent”, according to my family doctor)
• Tannins give wine its astringent taste.  (You know that wool sock you get in your mouth after you take a sip of red wine?  THOSE tannins!) Recent studies show that tannins may also help prevent hardening of arteries. Full-bodied wines, like Cabernets or Shiraz’s have a higher tannin count than lighter wines, like Beaujolais (gamay grape) or Pinot Noir.
• Anthocyanins give fruits like grapes, berries and cherries their dark pigment. (therefore, Welch’s grape juice, made from Concord grapes, would essentially, offer the same benefits.) Anthocyanins may help lower LDL cholesterol and also keep your blood pressure in check.
• Polyphenols are antioxidants from plant foods that work in the body to enhance health in complex ways. They may protect you from common health problems, such as colds or flu.

And if you prefer not to drink wine, then dive into the pomegranate, blueberry, cherry, cranberry juices, and grape juices! They would certainly offer similar benefits!

http://www.meteck.org/wine.html – this is an excellent article outlining both positive and negative effects.  The negative effects would not occur in all people.

http://www.wikihow.com/Boost-Your-Intake-of-Polyphenol-Antioxidants– check out Step 4 specifically.

I encourage you to read these articles and others, as there are many on this topic.  Above all, please understand that I’m not telling you the you should be drinking a glass of red wine at night.  Make your own choices and decide for yourself!  I’d love to hear your comments too!