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Apr 2016Choosing The Wine That Is Healthiest For You
Posted by Drink Responsibly / in Responsible Drinking / No comments yet
Clinking glasses of wine is the classic way to cheers and celebration for parties, get-togethers, weddings and special occasions. We often pick the type of wine depending on the occasion we’re celebrating and the quality of its dryness or sweetness of taste. Wine is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols which are required by the human body in micro quantities and are known to have considerable health benefits. Antioxidants fight off free radicals, thereby preventing oxidation reactions in the body which is the primary side effect of ageing. Polyphenols prevent the occurrence of degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer.
However, one must always remember that wine is beneficial only when consumed in small to moderate quantities – and that is about one glass per day. Different types of wine have different types and concentrations of goodness. For instance, Red wine may have certain upsides that are not seen in sparkling white wine or vice versa. An unusual but extremely healthy way to pick wine comes from the awareness of the benefits and drawbacks of different types of wine. Here are three most common types of commercially available wines and their properties.
Red Wine
Upsides
Red Wine has the greatest amount of reversterol, the antioxidant that comes from the skin of grape and is known for promoting heart health. This substance also lowers Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is synonymous with bad cholesterol and is closely associated with heart disease.
Downsides
Most of the studies that suggest the goodness of red wine have been conducted on mice. As we know, the effect of alcohol is directly related to body size, the degree of its influence on humans is not clear. Especially when it comes to gender differences and age, the exact quantity of wine and its projected benefit is blurry. Also, just one glass of red wine has a whopping 130 calories or more which is equivalent to 15 minutes on the treadmill.
White Wine
Upsides
White wine has a surprising health benefit for the lungs! Most lungs diseases are caused due to the lack of vitamins and antioxidants. White wine is a storehouse for anti-oxidants which aid lung function and protect them from diseases.
Downsides
Even when white wine is good for your lungs, it could have a mild side-effect on your mouth. The corrosive action of white wine is detrimental to the health of your teeth and may lead to faster decay. Most white wines are acidic and are bad for teeth. In addition, white wine has far less heart healthy and cancer preventing compounds than red wine, but both have equal amount of calories.
Sparkling Wine
Upsides
When it comes to health benefits, sparkling wine is almost as good as Champagne. A glass of sparkling wine has the same amount of goodness in the form of polyphenols as a glass of hot chocolate. Sparkling Wine also has lesser number of calories than white or red wine – just about 80 calories per glass in contrast to the same amount of red which has close to 130 calories.
Downsides
Sparkling wine has been identified as a common trigger for migraines for most people.
All these health benefits can also be tapped from sources other than wine. Strawberries, blueberries, plums Cocoa powder, dark chocolate and coffee are safer sources of polyphenols. All green vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, avocados, beetroot and spinach have lots of anti-oxidants and consuming them is safer and healthier than drinking wine. Let not the health benefits of wine become an excuse for you to drink. Always remember, alcohol is best enjoyed when consumed in moderation.