Many are times you hear people say that ‘I don’t take alcohol I just take wine’ these people do not know that wine contains alcohol whose content lies between 12.5 to 14.5% and it is twice the amount of calories as beer.
Wine has a long history of use as an early form of medication being recommended as a safe alternative to drinking water, an antiseptic for treating wounds, a digestive aid and as a cure for wide range of ailments, however excessive consumption of wine has its pro’s and con’s.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS
- Moderate consumption of red wine may help people live longer, protect against certain cancers, improve mental health and enhance heart health.
- Red wine appears to boost levels of omega 3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells.
- Drinking a glass of red wine with dinner modestly decreases cardio metabolic risks in people with type 2 diabetes. The ethanol in wine plays a key role in metabolizing glucose.
- The procyanidins compounds found in red wine help keep the blood vessels healthy.
- Resveratrol in red wine may help prevent vision loss which is caused by out of control blood vessels growth in the eye. This can help not only people with vision problems due to diabetes but those with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and other causes of retinal detachment. Consuming low doses of wine can reduce the size of bowel tumors by approximately 50 percent.
- Heavy consumption of most alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer however thanks to the chemicals in the seeds and skins of red grapes women who drink red wine in moderation may be spared such risks. Ideally alcohol increases a woman estrogen which encourages growth of cancer cells. However the aromatase inhibitors present in red wine reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone in women approaching menopause.
- Low doses of red wine may boost lung function and prevent lung cancer.
- Chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer In Men who drink moderate amount of red wine is around half that of men who never drink it at all.
- Red wine with its antioxidant and its anti-inflammatory action could help teat acne, this is done by combining benzoyl peroxide and applying it directly to the skin to maximize antibacterial activity.
DISADVANTAGES OF DRINKING WINE
CAUTION
Taking wine everyday may have its positive benefits but excessive consumption is what may lead you to an early grave, excessive consumption may increase risks such as;
- Hypertension
- Mental health problems
- Severe cancers. Excessive consumption is linked to higher risks of invasive melanoma.
- Fatty liver
- Stroke and
- Addiction.
- Risks of impotence and infertility has been highly reported.
N.B it is not recommended that individuals begin drinking or drink more for the above healthy reasons ,the amount of alcohol and calories in beverages varies and should be accounted for within the limits of healthy eating patterns.
