Is red wine the secret to longevity or a potent poison? The balance of alcohol’s benefits versus its sinister sins on our health is as complex as it is controversial, and has been documented throughout civilization in many religions including Islam and Christianity.
Red wine lovers will be pleased to know that there is now compelling evidence suggesting that red wine in moderation is actually good for us.
Research studies over the past decade have pointed to red wine having a marked protective effect against heart disease and playing a role in the prevention of cancer. The most famous paradox of the French, who consume a high-fat diet and yet have a low incidence of heart disease, is thought to be due to their regular consumption of red wine.
Some of the specific substances responsible for this protection on heart disease are powerful anti-oxidants present in the seeds and skin of red grapes, called polyphenols of which resveratrol has been found to be particularly effective. Red wine has a higher concentration of resveratrol than white or rose wines, as the skins and seeds are left to ferment in the grapes juices for longer during the red wine-making process than they are for white wine, giving the wine its red color as well as most of its benefits.
Resveratrol is thought to protect against heart disease by reducing the production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (also known as the bad cholesterol) by increasing the amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol), therefore reducing the development of ‘blocked’ arteries (or atherosclerosis), heart attack and strokes. Resveratrol anti cancer properties include inducing cancer cell death, minimizing DNA mutations that lead to cancer, and blocking the formation of new blood vessels that spring up to nourish tumors. Resveratrol has also been implicated to help in the formation of new nerve cells, which may lead to promising treatments for neurological diseases.
But which wines give these benefits? Red wines with the highest resveratrol content have been found to be Cabernet Sauvignone, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir, with Merlont and Red Zinfadel having lesser amounts of the protective polyphenols. Generally, the dryer the wine, the higher the concentration of polyphenols it will contain.
However, you don’t have to drink red wine to benefit from resveratrol as it is also found in supplements over the counter, as well as natural fruits such as mulberries, raspberries, peanuts, and many other fruits and nuts. Whether resveratrol exerts unique benefits when consumed from red wine as opposed to being consumed in fruits and other sources, is currently under debate.
Melatonin, also found in grape skins, is another powerful anti-oxidant that has recently come to the fore as being a beneficial component of red wine, having been implicated in slowing down the ageing process. It has been shown in in-vitro studies (experiments carried out in the laboratory on living cells) to protect cells from age related damage, and in other studies to prolong the life span of experimental mice. As grape skins are removed when making white wine, melatonin is only found in red wine, and is perhaps the reason red wine makes us want to sleep. Recent studies have shown melatonin to have sleep inducing properties. Indeed, melatonin is naturally present in our bodies and plays a key role in regulating our circadian rhythm or body clock. Wines rich in melatonin include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti.
What does moderation mean when it comes to alcohol consumption? For red wine to be beneficial, it is generally recommended to drink one or two four-ounce glasses daily. We cannot ignore decades of warnings on alcohol consumption, as excessive amounts can rot your liver and promote the formation of free radicals. Clearly, exceeding the recommended levels makes red wine detrimental to your health, causing a multitude of ailments that we are all too aware of including liver disease, high blood pressure, heart problems, alcoholism.
One fact to keep in mind as you sip your evening glass of red, is that although mortality rates from heart disease may be decreased in those who drink one or two glasses of red per day, mortality rates climb rapidly with increasing number of drinks a day. Moderation and not exaggeration, is key.
Dr. May Meleigy holds a Ph.D in Immunology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, as well as an MSc. (Toxicology/pathology) and a B.Sc in pharmacology) from London University. May is a freelance medical/health writer and is currently producing Health Education programs for Egyptian TV.
