For centuries, red wine has played an integral part in the health regimes of scores of cultures around the world, according to nutritionist James Duke, author of "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs." Today, scientists are researching the health benefits derived from the antioxidants found in red wine. Since wine can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for all health conditions, consult your doctor for recommendations on including wine in your diet.
Antioxidants
Oxidative stress, the process of cell breakdown and mutation due to free radical molecules, carries strong links to several age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Antioxidants, found in many plant-based foods, decrease the effects of free radicals in humans. A 3.4-ounce glass of red wine rates a score between 2,400 and 4,500 on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scale developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Researchers recommend consuming at least 5,000 ORAC units per day.
Heart Disease
Each antioxidant combats different types of free radicals, and scientists suspect that some antioxidants work in concert with one another. Red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol as well as several other flavonoids, a class of antioxidant that protects you from heart disease in three ways. Your body tends to produce less low-density lipoprotein and more high-density lipoprotein in the presence of resveratrol, creating a better balance between these two types of cholesterol. A balanced cholesterol level means reduced risk of your arteries becoming clogged, limiting the flow of blood through your body. Resveratrol also reduces blood clotting, reducing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
How Much
One serving of red wine per day, about 3-to-4 ounces, provides enough antioxidants to benefit women, while men can opt for up to two glasses per day. Those with larger frames can generally imbibe a bit more than those with smaller frames. Men tend to produce more of the enzymes that metabolize wine, allowing them to consume more without ill effects. Researchers at the University of California at Davis recommend cabernet sauvignon as the red wine with the highest ORAC score.
Considerations
Health experts hesitate to recommend that non-drinkers begin consuming alcohol, because of the damaging effects of over-consumption. Replacing other nutritious foods with wine can create more of a problem than a health benefit. If you do not currently drink red wine, you can get similar benefits from several other foods, such as dark grape juice, dark chocolate, pomegranates and blueberries, which contain high levels of resveratrol and other antioxidants.
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