What Are The Health Benefits That You Get From Wine?

To Your Health – is a phrase that we all have said as we raised our glasses in a toast during a special occasion. Where the phrase came from I do not know, but what I do know is that all varieties of wine, both red and white, are said to be a benefit to your health.

Will it give us an increase in longevity? Some very impressive statistics are coming out from Researchers who have found red wines rich in flavonoids are actually good for our health. These flavonoids are known for their antioxidant properties which work with the body to resist viruses and carcinogens among other perks, such as helping your body to resist cancer and cardiovascular disease.

But here is the caveat, like most things the drinking of wine should be done in moderation. In the 16th Century a Swiss physician was quoted as having wrote “Wine is a food, a medicine and a poison – it is just a question of dose”. If too much is consumed then the benefit of the flavonoids will have the opposite effect on your health. There are certain types of red wine that have a higher amount of both flavonoids and antioxidants. Among these wine are Cabernet Sauvignon, pinot Noir and Petit Syrah.

It is said by many providers of health that limiting yourself to one or two four ounce glasses of wine per day if you are a man, and if you are a women only one four ounce glass per day, will give you the health benefits you want. If you are of the fairer sex do not get after me, I am only the messenger.

The French people have a lower rate of heart disease due to the region that their red wine is produced. The French red wines are very tannic and contain high procyanidin (antioxidant) content of any wines worldwide.

When it comes to flavonoids not all wines are alike. Wine that are white have the lowest concentration of flavonoids, whereas, dry red wines such as Merlot or Zinfandel have a higher levels than white wine, still fall short of the levels present in the other red wines. Still you will get the health benefits from these wine should you keep consumption to the recommended level.

There are many health benefits of wine which should not be forgotten. Of course the main benefits of wine include the absolute joy of sitting around with good friends and a great glass or two of wine.