Glass of wine a day keeps doctor away
DID you know that Mediterranean people, especially the French, indulge in rich-high-fat-diets, but live longer and have a relatively low incidence of heart diseases? Scientists believe it is because of wine!<br>
By Asmara Nabayaza
DID you know that Mediterranean people, especially the French, indulge in rich-high-fat-diets, but live longer and have a relatively low incidence of heart diseases? Scientists believe it is because of wine!
Yes, a glass of red wine twice a day, promotes better health. According to a report released by the American National Institutes of Health (NIH), the risk of heart attack is between 20% to 40% lower among red wine drinkers.
Scientists have also found many constituents in red wine that are anti-disease and contain many potentially beneficial property. Red wine is made from fruits such as grapes.
Dr Omar Mutuya, a nutritionist at Opt-health Co. Ltd, says fruits contain antioxidants in form of Vitamin E, A and C mainly.
“Red wine is very rich in flavonoids, a component of mainly Vitamin E, and an important element in building the overall body immune system. With strong immunity, a body is able to fight diseases,†Mutuya said.
Dr Peter Lwabi, a consultant and paediatrician at Mulago hospital, agrees and adds other antioxidants like proanthocyanidins and tannins. “When too much fat deposits inside blood vessels, it attracts platelet cells to form around it and in so doing, eventually block blood from flowing across thus leading to a heart attack. Proanthocyanidins prevent platelet from sticking and, thus, allowing blood flow,†Lwabi says.
According to him, researchers have also identified that tannins found in red wine are loaded with anti-clogging compounds, which stop blood from clotting in the arteries. “It makes it less sticky.â€
This helps blood vessels to dilate and relax, which reduces the stress on blood vessels and blood pressure. By preventing bad fat from accumulating, tannins strike a balance between bad substances released by blood vessels and good ones. Bad substances constrict vessels, yet good ones relax the vessels. But if you are not a red wine drinker and reluctant to add alcohol to your diet, don’t worry.
There are substitutes available.
Proanthocyanidins and Flavonoids can also be found in fruits, and vegetables such as grape seeds, blueberries, apples and oranges.
However, doctors say most health benefits are in red wine made by an anaerobic process (not exposed to oxygen).
The use of proanthocyanidins has been well studied in Europe.
Scientifically, documented benefits include enhanced capillary strength producing capillary walls that are less likely to be damaged and vascular function that is a balance between blood vessel constriction and relaxation.
Lwabi stresses that red wine should not be abused. Only one glass per meal, making it two glasses a day, is enough.
Mutuya even thinks one glass a day should suffice. He cautions pregnant women against drinking till after birth.
DID you know that Mediterranean people, especially the French, indulge in rich-high-fat-diets, but live longer and have a relatively low incidence of heart diseases? Scientists believe it is because of wine!
Yes, a glass of red wine twice a day, promotes better health. According to a report released by the American National Institutes of Health (NIH), the risk of heart attack is between 20% to 40% lower among red wine drinkers.
Scientists have also found many constituents in red wine that are anti-disease and contain many potentially beneficial property. Red wine is made from fruits such as grapes.
Dr Omar Mutuya, a nutritionist at Opt-health Co. Ltd, says fruits contain antioxidants in form of Vitamin E, A and C mainly.
“Red wine is very rich in flavonoids, a component of mainly Vitamin E, and an important element in building the overall body immune system. With strong immunity, a body is able to fight diseases,†Mutuya said.
Dr Peter Lwabi, a consultant and paediatrician at Mulago hospital, agrees and adds other antioxidants like proanthocyanidins and tannins. “When too much fat deposits inside blood vessels, it attracts platelet cells to form around it and in so doing, eventually block blood from flowing across thus leading to a heart attack. Proanthocyanidins prevent platelet from sticking and, thus, allowing blood flow,†Lwabi says.
According to him, researchers have also identified that tannins found in red wine are loaded with anti-clogging compounds, which stop blood from clotting in the arteries. “It makes it less sticky.â€
This helps blood vessels to dilate and relax, which reduces the stress on blood vessels and blood pressure. By preventing bad fat from accumulating, tannins strike a balance between bad substances released by blood vessels and good ones. Bad substances constrict vessels, yet good ones relax the vessels. But if you are not a red wine drinker and reluctant to add alcohol to your diet, don’t worry.
There are substitutes available.
Proanthocyanidins and Flavonoids can also be found in fruits, and vegetables such as grape seeds, blueberries, apples and oranges.
However, doctors say most health benefits are in red wine made by an anaerobic process (not exposed to oxygen).
The use of proanthocyanidins has been well studied in Europe.
Scientifically, documented benefits include enhanced capillary strength producing capillary walls that are less likely to be damaged and vascular function that is a balance between blood vessel constriction and relaxation.
Lwabi stresses that red wine should not be abused. Only one glass per meal, making it two glasses a day, is enough.
Mutuya even thinks one glass a day should suffice. He cautions pregnant women against drinking till after birth.