Probably an uncommon new year resolution, but one of my goals is to drink more frequently (moderate amounts of course). The primary reason is for better health! My plan is to drink a half or full glass of wine pretty much daily.
The main benefits of red wine summarized from the article "To Eat or Not To Eat? The Good and The Bad of 7 Commons Foods":
- High content of polyphenols. In nature they exhibit a wide range of biological effects as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and modulators of various enzyme systems.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD). One of most well-documented benefits of red wine is a heart protective effect. Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be a preventative against coronary heart disease.
- Cholesterol. One of the most important benefits of regular wine consumption is an increase in levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good cholesterol"). One to 2 drinks per day of red wine have been shown to increase HDL cholesterol by about 11-17%.
- Blood clots. Red wine produces anticlotting, or antithrombotic, action[96-98]. Light to moderate consumers of wine have lower levels of protein fibrinogen, that promotes blood clot formation.
- Atherosclerosis. Red wine may prevent the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis (hardening" or "furring" of the arteries).
- Hypertension. Excessive alcohol consumption is generally considered a risk factor for hypertension. However, there is some evidence of red wine favorable effects on blood pressure.
- Stroke. Red wine consumption may have a protective effect on the risk of ischemic stroke.
- Kidney stones. Red wine intake reduces the risk of kidney stone formation.
- Alzheimer's disease. Moderate wine drinking correlates with a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease.
- Smoking. Acute smoking significantly impairs vasodilatation. Red wine, with or without alcohol, decreases harmful effect of smoking on endothelium.
