Nutritional Value Of Chicken & Mushroom In Red Wine Sauce

The term "healthy meat" is a bit of an oxymoron. All meat helps to place the body in an acidic state --- a term synonymous with illness and disease. "Time" magazine reported in 2009 that darker meats increase mortality risks from cancer and heart disease than less-acidic white meats. When you're planning your next dinner, please your taste buds and your body with white chicken breast, mushrooms and the heart-healthy effects of red wine sauce.

Resveratrol

Since the early 1990s, scientists have unraveled the health benefits of red wine, including its heart and anti-aging properties. Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute reports that red wine contains super-antioxidants that explain the "French Paradox," or low heart-disease mortality rates in France despite the French preference for cigarette smoking and saturated fat. The most-studied antioxidant in red wine --- called resveratrol --- has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells during in vitro and animal studies.

Anti-Cancer

According to research published in "The Journal of Nutrition" in 2002, 80 percent of colorectal cancer cases can be attributed to diet. In measuring the effects of red versus white meat in terms of colon health, researchers found red meat to increase the risk of colon cancer by almost 50 percent; they saw no increased risk in white meat. The results reflected the negative effects of nitrite, a preservative added to cured meats.

Fiber

Mushrooms offer a mosaic of health benefits including high quality protein, unsaturated fatty acids and fiber. In 2005, the Medical News Today website reported on the nutritional status of six types of mushrooms --- white button, crimini, portabella, maitake, shiitake and enoki --- before and after being cooked. All mushroom types gained significantly in dietary fiber after being cooked, while beta-glucan and chitin --- two immunity boosting polysaccharides --- levels declined after the process.

Cellular Support

The combination of white chicken breast and mushrooms decreases the possibility of illness through selenium, a trace mineral and antioxidant. The Office of Dietary Supplements says that while selenium deficiencies are rare, they place stress on the immune system that can perpetuate heart disease and hypothyroidism when they do occur. Selenium antioxidants work to null the effects of environmental toxins on your body by repairing and protecting cells from free radicals in body organs and tissues.

Acidic pH

When it comes to pH balance, or the balance of alkalinity and acidity in your body, chicken and wine have little advantage. As a rule of thumb, pH balance is not comprised of equal 50 to 50 proportions. To remain healthy, your body requires approximately 75 to 80 percent alkalizing foods and 20 to 25 percent acidic. Meat and alcohol are considered acidic foods that contribute to a range of illnesses regardless of their type, the Trans4Mind website warns.