If you consume alcohol and are wondering what kind of alcohol is best, consider red wine!
I’m not advocating drinking to excess. But we are approaching winter holidays and holiday parties, New Years, New Year’s parties, Zoom happy hours, and all of our other end-of-year obligations.
So if you consume alcohol, and are wondering what kind of alcohol is best, consider red wine.
Drinking to excess can have detrimental impacts on your health and well-being. But consuming a moderate amount of red wine daily can have health benefits. For women, 1-1.5 servings, for men 1-2 servings is considered moderate. A serving of wine is 5 oz.
Have you heard of the French Paradox?
The French Paradox refers to the observation that French people have a lower rate of heart disease than American people, despite a diet that is high in saturated fat and cholesterol. (Foie gras, anyone?)
Researchers initially believed this may have been because most French adults consume a moderate amount of red wine daily and the phytochemicals and compounds in the red wine counteracted the effects of the high fat, cholesterol-rich, French diet.
But new studies have shown that dietary cholesterol and saturated fats do not cause heart disease when eaten in reasonable amounts. The true reason that French people seem to be in better health than Americans is likely due to eating more whole foods and fewer processed foods, which debunks the French Paradox.
However, studies have linked red wine to reduced:
Risk of cancer (colon, basal cell, ovary, and prostate)
Risk of dementia
Insulin resistance
Risk of depression
Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in women
Final Takeaway:
If you don’t already drink alcohol, there is no good reason to start. But if you do, and you are looking for something to help you eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season, red wine (when consumed responsibly and in moderation) can be good for your health.
For those of you who celebrate, I’m wishing you all the happiest and warmest of winter holidays.
