Red Wine and Health

There have been many scientific studies that suggest drinking alcohol in moderation may have health benefits. However, until recently there was no clear evidence that red wine is any better for the heart than any other alcoholic drink.

Possible Reduced Risk of Heart Attacks

Scientists may now have discovered the reason why red wine appears to protect the heart. The "Mediterranean diet", which includes a larger consumption of wine, has been linked with lower rates of heart disease in those countries, despite a higher intake of saturated fats.

Latest studies show that red wine seems to interfere with the production of a body chemical which is vital to the process that clogs up arteries and subsequently increases the risk of a heart attack.

Resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, helps decrease the manufacture of a protein that is involved in the early formation of artery disease. A study found that the higher the amount of resveratrol in the red wine then the greater the production of proteins was inhibited. White and rosé wines were found to have no effect.

Tests showed that Cabernet Sauvignon-derived wines seemed to have the best impact.

Reduction of the Effects of High-Fat Diet

Resveratrol may help counter the toxic effects of a high-fat diet that can cause liver damage. This could explain why the French have a much lower incidence of coronary heart disease despite their diet high in saturated fats. It has been speculated that the reason may be due to wine that  they drink with their meal.

Reduced Effects of Ageing

Research on middle aged mice has shown that even low doses of resveratrol in their diet had an effect on ageing, especially protecting the heart. In particular, research found that low doses of resveratrol mimic the helpful effects of  ‘caloric restriction’.

Anti-Cancer Drug Made from Red Wine Chemical

There is evidence that an anti-ageing drug based on resveratrol could also have anti-cancer effects.

Tests on diabetics have begun using the drug that may lead to the development of new range of drugs that have a big effect on age related diseases as well as adult diabetes.

Latest research reports how the drug affects tumour growth suggesting it does have anticancer effects. The development of these drugs came out of research which attempted to understand why all species live longer on a calorie-restricted diet.

Calorie Restricted Diet

Providing there is adequate nutritional intake, cutting calories by 40 per cent prolongs lifespan by 50 per cent or more in yeast, worms, mice, rats, monkeys and every other species so far tested. As well as helping extend lifespan, the diet also helps slow the progression of age related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Red Wine and Diabetes

A new family of drugs mimic the effects of a reduced-calorie diet which prolongs life span.

They work in the same way as resveratrol. The problem with red wine is that research suggests that you would have to drink around 1000 glasses each day to take enough resveratrol to reduce the effects of a high fat diet, increase stamina and significantly extend lifespan.

These new drugs are about 1,000 times stronger than resveratrol and are also 1,000 times better at preventing the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body becomes insensitive to the effects of insulin. It seems that the new drugs can boost insulin sensitivity substantially ensuring that the body remains receptive to the activity of insulin.

90% of diabetes around the world is Type 2 Diabetes. It is mainly caused by excess body weight and inactivity.

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