Beauty in Strength

Hi folks!  How’s the weekend been? Thank you again for all of your support and encouraging words on Friday’s events.  I really appreciate your concern and well wishes, and I am so grateful for such wonderful readers.

Since wine was culprit for those events, I thought today was the perfect day to address a question that is often a topic in nutrition.  Is red wine good for us?

(source)

Society is often presented with such mixed media messages in regards to red wine consumption. One day, the public is told it can fight heart disease and the next day, the public is told it’s absolutely awful.  Let’s debunk the myths, shall we?

Here’s the facts.  Red wine contains resveratrol, a plant-derived compound found in grape skins. This compound has been shown to have cardiovascular and other health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, controlling inflammation, and having anti-cancer properties. Moderate consumption of wine is associated with lower risk and mortality from cardiovascular disease.  Grapes also contain powerful antioxidants, which help protect against disease and cancer.

(source)

Now here’s the true story.  As mentioned, of all the many components of wine, resveratrol, which is a natural component specifically present in wine, has been identified as being mainly responsible for these health-promoting properties.   However, its bioavailability is very low, at 1.5 to 3 mg per liter.  There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for resveratrol, but it is estimated at 20 – 50 mg. Therefore, in theory, one would have to consume multiple liters of red wine in one sitting in order to reap the benefits of resveratrol. Obviously, the negatives far outweigh the positives in this situation, as the RDA for alcohol is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.

Since red wine does not provide enough resveratrol for us to reap the benefits, we can turn to plant-based food sources.  Resveratrol is mainly found in seed-producing plants. This includes grapes and blueberries (the number one sources), cranberries, organic (non-GMO) soy, and even dark chocolate! If you opt for chocolate, make sure to choose a dark variety (70% or higher cacao content) made from organic cocoa powder that has not been heavily processed, otherwise you won’t reap the benefits.

(source)

Also, if you choose to enjoy a glass or two of red wine, your best choice is  organic red wine produced without sulfites (Sulfites are additives used in food and wine to extend shelf life and fight bacteria.). Those  sulfites can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.  Even if the wine is organic, it doesn’t mean it’s produced without sulfutes, so be sure to read the label.  It should say, “No Sulfites Added,” or, “NSA”.

Salute!

Question of the Day:  Do you enjoy red wine? (If I have a drink while out, red wine is my first choice.  I love the rich earthy, flavors of Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.)

Quote of the Day: “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” – Vincent van Gogh