Archaeological excavations carried out in Mesopotamia and some other regions suggest that the cultivation of grapes and the preparation of alcoholic beverages from it dates back to 6000-4000 BC. In prehistoric times, drinking wine was considered a privilege. royalty, aristocracy and clergy. In peasant families, drinks made from various herbs, cereals and honey were served at the table.
Jancis Robertson in the book The Oxford Companion to Wine wrote that the oldest documents that mention the technology of making wine are Sumerian tablets and Egyptian papyri dating back to 2200 BC. e. In ancient Egypt, only pharaohs and members of the nobility were allowed to drink wine. With the development of winemaking in ancient Greece, the use of grape drinks became available to the general population. Wine began to devote literary works and scientific treatises, the drink was used not only in cooking, but also in medicine.
The famous ancient Greek healer Hippocrates considered wine mandatory component healthy diet that improves the functioning of the digestive system. He also used grape drinks as an analgesic for parturient women, treatment of stomach and intestinal disorders, disinfection of wounds, recommended dilution of bitter medicinal powders to make their intake more pleasant for patients.
Red wine - 17 health benefits
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Cholesterol Reduction
The red Tempranillo grape used in some Rioja wines is high in fiber. This factor can have a significant impact on cholesterol levels - say scientists from the Complutense University of Madrid, which is located in Spain.
This scientific hypothesis was confirmed by American researchers who involved several dozen volunteers in the experiment. Participants were divided into two groups, one of which was absolutely healthy people, the other - patients with high blood cholesterol. Both those and others were asked to take an additive similar in composition to red wine for six months. The analyzes showed that in the body of healthy people the level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) decreased by 9%, in the control group a drop in LDL was recorded at around 12%.
Summing up the results of the study, Arthur Ágatson (M.D., Associate Professor at the University of Miami) emphasized that the results obtained can turn today's view on the use of grape drinks. He also noted the enormous harm of cholesterol to human health. “Excessive LDL,” the professor said, “is dangerous because plaque forms on the walls of the arteries, which leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, as a result, blood pressure rises, which ultimately turns into a heart attack.”
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Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
“In addition to the ability to reduce the level of“ bad ”cholesterol, red wine, due to the content of polyphenols and antioxidants, helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, and also prevents excessive blood clotting,” says John Foltz, Ph.D., professor of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Nutrition University of Madison (Wisconsin, USA).
“Red wine in this sense has the same effectiveness as the well-known aspirin,” says Foltz, “but be careful: chronic drinking causes irreparable damage to the heart, do not forget that moderation is the key here.”
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Blood sugar control
Wine, like the skin of red grapes, contains the natural substance resveratrol, which can help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels. This is confirmed by the results of a recent study published in the American Journal of Diet Nutrition. Participants in the experiment were asked to take 250 mg of resveratrol as a food supplement once a day for three months.
Laboratory tests showed that these patients had a significant decrease in blood glucose levels, compared with those people who adhered to a normal lifestyle. In addition, resveratrol helps lower total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Experts believe that resveratrol stimulates the secretion of insulin, and also activates the production of enzymes responsible for maintaining normal glucose levels and the body's sensitivity to insulin.
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Strengthening brain activity
According to Philippe Marambaud, Ph.D., senior research fellow at the New York Alzheimer's Research Center, resveratrol prevents mental decline and memory fading.
It is known that brain degradation occurs as a result of the formation of beta-amyloid proteins in cells. Resveratrol blocks this process, allowing a person at any age to maintain clarity of thought.
The technique developed by Dr. Marambod to treat patients with brain disorders involves exercise, solving crosswords and puzzles, and relaxing with a glass of wine.
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Strengthening immunity
In a survey conducted in 2010 by specialists from a university in Spain, 4,000 people took part. It turned out that people who consume two glasses of red wine every day are half as susceptible to colds and viral diseases during the year. These data are confirmed by statistics from the National Institutes of Health. different countries. According to scientists, the antioxidants contained in wine protect the body from the effects of free radicals, which serves as a preventive measure not only for acute, but also for chronic pathologies.
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Barrier to the development of cancer
According to researchers from the University of Virginia, drinking one glass of red wine 3-4 times a week is enough to suppress the activity of any cancer cells at the nucleation stage. This effect was found during experiments to determine the interaction of resveratrol with tumor cells in the human body.
Scientists from the University of Leicester (USA) spoke at the 2nd International Scientific Conference in the UK with a report on the effects of resveratrol on health. In this document, in particular, it was said that with regular moderate consumption of red wine, the risk of bowel tumors is reduced by about 50%.
It is known that alcohol abuse often results in breast cancer in women. However, experts from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles managed to prove that the presence of red wine in the diet leads to the exact opposite effect.
In a publication in the journal Women's Health, scientists explained that chemicals found in the skins and seeds of red grapes regulate estrogen and testosterone levels in menopausal women, significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer.
The authors emphasized that it is not so much red wine that has antitumor properties, but the raw materials used in its production. But if a woman is faced with a choice of which alcoholic drink to prefer, then, of course, you need to stop at red wine.
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Maintaining normal body weight
Obviously, the high calorie content of grapes and its derivatives does not give grounds to recommend the use of red wine to overweight people. But the results of recent scientific studies have shown that moderate consumption of grape drinks can prevent the growth of fat cells. Scientists conducted a series of laboratory tests to find out the effect of resveratrol on the body. It turned out that polyphenolic compounds, by binding insulin receptors, exclude the conditions necessary for the maturation and division of fat cells.
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Anti-aging effect
The study of the rejuvenating properties of wine has been going on for more than a thousand years. During the Middle Ages, it was noticed that the novices of the monasteries have a higher life expectancy compared to the rest of the population. This factor was explained by the fact that monks accompany their meals with regular consumption of red wine.
Experts from the Harvard Medical School believe that grape drinks can really stop the aging of the body due to the presence of resveratrol in the peel of berries. Responsible for conducting experiments on laboratory animals, Professor David Sinclair commented on the results of the experiment: “The introduction of resveratrol into the diet of mice on a diet with a high content of fatty foods general condition their health and significantly reduces mortality.
In the course of another study conducted at the University of London, it was found that the procyanidins contained in red wine ensure the safety of blood vessels, which can be called one of the important points that positively affect the life span of a person. Scientists emphasized that the optimal presence useful substances red wines made according to traditional technologies are distinguished.
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Dementia Prevention
A group of scientists from the Loyola University Medical Center concluded that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of developing dementia by 23%.
In the course of the ongoing research, experts collected and analyzed data from scientific papers on red wine published over the past forty years. Statistics covering 19 countries of the world showed that in regions where red wine is traditionally consumed, cases of dementia among the population are observed several times less frequently.
Researchers attribute this effect to the ability of resveratrol to reduce the stickiness of blood platelets and maintain vascular elasticity, which ensures a good blood supply to the brain. Resveratrol is present in both red and white wine. However, dark grape varieties have a higher content of this substance.
Professor Edward Gee Neefsey, who led the study, said: “We do not encourage people who have never drunk alcohol before to start drinking. But at the same time, there is no denying the fact that the presence of alcohol in the human diet, in moderation, can be beneficial to health.”
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Protecting the skin from sunburn
Grapes and their derivatives help reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet light on the skin - such information was published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" by scientists from the University of Barcelona (Spain).
The authors explained that upon contact sun rays The article presents a large number of scientific research results showing the benefits of sunlight for human health. reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed with human skin, which oxidize fats, DNA and other large molecules. This process, in turn, stimulates the activity of other enzymes that destroy the cells of the epidermis. Antioxidants found in wine and grapes inhibit the formation of ROS and protect the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight.
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Prevention of diseases leading to blindness
Red wine can stop the uncontrolled growth of blood vessels in the eyeball that leads to blindness, say experts from Washington University and St. Louis School of Medicine. Scientists cite their arguments in an article published in the American journal Pathology of Vision.
Experts believe that diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are caused by increased vascular growth (angiogenesis) in the eye, which is the main cause of vision loss in people over 50 years of age.
The researchers explained that the resveratrol contained in wine helps to eliminate pathological processes. This polyphenol is also present in fresh grapes, blueberries, peanuts, and some other fruits.
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Stroke prevention
“Red wine protects brain vessels from damage, including preventing the occurrence of a stroke,” wrote a researcher at Johns Hopkins University in the journal Experimental Neurology.
Professor Sylvain Dore believes that the resveratrol present in red wine is responsible for increasing the levels of heme oxygenase, an enzyme that is produced in the nerve cells of the brain when threatened. negative influences and allows you to withstand serious complications.
Dr. Dore added that it is not yet fully understood whether this factor is a direct action of resveratrol, or whether wine contains other beneficial substances that may be necessary to stimulate the production of oxygenase.
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Improving respiratory function and preventing lung cancer
Dutch scientists have published the results of scientific research, during which they analyzed the effect of resveratrol contained in different varieties fault, on lung function. Experts have confirmed that resveratrol in pure form has a positive effect on the respiratory system. It has also been noted that white wines are just as good for the lungs as red ones.
Summing up, the leader of the study said: “According to a number of surveys among various segments of the population, it was possible to find out that people who drink wine moderately are much less susceptible to lung diseases. It is possible that resveratrol is not the only beneficial element present in wine. The beneficial effect on respiratory functions is likely due to many other compounds that are formed in grape drinks during the fermentation process.
The results of another study conducted by a group of scientists from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (USA) were published in the journal Oncology, Biomarkers and Prevention. Professor Chun Chao writes: "The antioxidant component of grape wine appears to be a strong defense against lung cancer, especially among smokers."
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Increasing the level of omega-3 fatty acids
Wine better than other alcoholic beverages stimulates an increase in the level of Omega-3 in plasma and red blood cells - this was the conclusion of experts from different European countries who conducted a large-scale study under the auspices of IMMIDIET. The results were published in the Journal diet food". More than one and a half thousand people from London (Great Britain), Abruzzo (Italy) and Limburg (Belgium) took part in the tests. All patients underwent a physical examination and completed a questionnaire about their eating habits. It turned out that people who regularly drink a moderate amount of wine, the level of Omega-3 in the blood is as high as those who eat a lot of fish and seafood. Scientists concluded that drinking wine acts as a kind of catalyst that triggers the replenishment of fatty acids that protect the heart from coronary disease.
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Prevention of liver diseases
A study by the UC San Diego Department of Medicine found that moderate consumption of quality wine halved the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to people who never drank the drink. The findings challenged conventional wisdom about the harmful effects of alcohol on liver health.
In one issue of the American Bulletin of Hepatology, facts were cited proving that people who prefer wine are four times less likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than those who drink beer, liquors and other alcohol-containing drinks.
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Prostate Cancer Prevention
According to the results of a medical study published in June 2007 in the journal Men's Health, men who moderately drink red wine are 52% less likely to get prostate cancer than those who have never drunk a grape drink.
Experts consider 4-7 glasses a week to be the optimal amount of wine that can be consumed with health benefits. But even one glass drunk every seven days reduces the risk of prostate cancer by 6%.
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Diabetes protection
Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducting experiments on laboratory mice, found that the element resveratrol contained in red wine and grape skins increases the body's sensitivity to insulin. This occurs under the influence of the production of the sirt1 enzyme. Study leader Professor Kwei Zhai noted that insulin resistance is the most important factor in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, but the final conclusions about the benefits of wine for patients at risk for diabetes will be made by the results of further experiments.
Red wine - contraindications
Summing up, it should be noted that all of the above applies to high-quality natural wines, but in no way applies to surrogate drinks made from low-grade raw materials using dubious technologies. Also, we must not forget that without harm to health, red wine should be consumed extremely moderately, that is, no more than 100-150 grams per dose several times a week. Uncontrolled drinking damages the body and leads to many diseases:
mental disorders;
depressive states;
cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia;
hypertension, heart attack and stroke;
fatty degeneration of the liver;
cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis;
gastritis, gastric and intestinal ulcers;
tumor and other chronic pathologies.
Many people know that red wine is good for health. This is due to the fact that the substances contained in this drink can prevent many diseases, and some of them can even alleviate or minimize symptoms. However, how much of this noble drink will benefit the body, and how much - vice versa? It is better to understand this in more detail. When drinking any alcoholic drink, you should understand that you need to know the measure in everything. One glass can benefit the body, and several can only harm. A lot also depends on the choice of drink. It is better to spare no expense and buy worthwhile wines that are produced in the area next to the vineyards.
Varieties
To understand which red wine is good for the body or will bring it the maximum benefit, you should figure out what types of this drink are in general. First of all, it is worth noting that red wine has more nutrients than white wine. Therefore, it is the first that is called extremely useful.
So, what kind of red wine is good for a person? The present! That is, it should contain only a minimum set of ingredients, namely grapes. Dry wine often brings more benefits than sweet or semi-sweet, but this does not mean that such pleasant products should be discarded.
You should also pay attention to the quality of the drink. The label must necessarily indicate where the wine is produced, where it is bottled, and also where the grapes are grown. The smaller the distance between these points, the better. This ensures that whole berries were used and not grape essence, from which the so-called powdered wine is obtained.
In addition, Isabella wine, so beloved by many, is deprived of a number of useful properties, that is, its use for the most part is just a pleasant pastime.
What is "powdered" wine?
It should be noted that this term is erroneous. None of the drinks are made that way. However, if you have to transport raw materials for making wine to another area, to another factory, then the berries are processed, fermented, and the resulting mixture is used.
This is fraught with the fact that less quality grapes can be used, that is, one that did not suit the owners of the vineyard. Also due to improper storage and transportation finished product it might turn out worse. In this case, it is not worth talking about the benefits.
Help for the heart and blood vessels
What are the benefits of red wine? It is often associated with cardiovascular disease. This is due to the substances that are contained in the drink itself. For example, resveratrol, which is found in the skin of red grapes, has huge amount useful properties.
So, beneficial features red wine thanks to this substance, much higher than white drink. Resveratrol helps lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. That is, with existing problems with nutrition, it is permissible to use red wine.
Also, this mysterious substance has a beneficial effect on memory. A number of scientists are engaged in its use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. What the results are is not yet clear, but it is known that red wine, consumed regularly, but in small doses, can improve the brain's ability to remember both visual and sound patterns.
Wine for a good figure
Is red wine good for a diet? Oddly enough, yes. The fact is that some of the elements that are contained in this alcoholic drink can affect the metabolism, and positively. That is, red wine, drunk in small quantities, helps heavy food to be digested, facilitating the work of the stomach and intestines. Also, red wine helps to stop the growth of fat cells! However, in this case we are talking about obesity. A little overweight in this way will not work.
It should be understood that we are talking about a small amount of this drink! If you drink more than one or two servings, that is, more than 250 milliliters, then you can lose control of your appetite. Thus, much more will be eaten than planned.
It is precisely because alcohol dulls some of the senses, while inciting the feeling of hunger and the desire to have something to eat, that it is forbidden in diets. However, a small dose will not cause harm, on the contrary. But this method can be used only if the person who is losing weight knows for sure that he will be able to control himself.
Wine for the fair sex: are there any advantages?
Why is red wine good for women? It turns out that drinking a quality drink helps with one serious problem, namely the prevention of breast cancer. Every year more and more women suffer from this disease.
The fact is that red wine lowers estrogen levels during menopause, increasing testosterone levels. This leads to the fact that the risk of the disease is reduced. The paradox of this whole situation is that all other alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, on the contrary, increase the development of oncological diseases, and red wine is a pleasant exception.
It is also recommended to drink red wines in order to establish the process of hematopoiesis. This is especially true during periods of heavy menstruation. Saperavi variety products are recommended for this.
Skin and teeth: a beauty drink
What are the benefits of red wine? It helps not only to fight a number of diseases, but also improves skin condition. Wine increases the tone of the integument, eliminates their dryness. Also, this drink is often used in cosmetology. It is noteworthy that for each problem they choose their own variety. For example, it is sweet wine that helps with dry skin, dry wine will not cope with it.
Also, this drink can be a salvation for those who suffer from caries or gum disease. How useful is red wine in this case? It eliminates bacteria in the oral cavity, produces a kind of disinfection, which further reduces the risk of gum disease and teeth.
Why drink wine in the evening?
It is often recommended to drink red wine with dinner. Why? It turns out that it has a sedative effect. That is, a glass of this drink before going to bed helps to put the nervous system in order. It is also worth noting that wine helps to improve sleep, so people who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders can take this technique into service.
However, in this case, it is also worth remembering the dose. The drink has a beneficial effect when it is drunk in small quantities. So, the optimal dose is one hundred milliliters.
Help for the eyes
What are the benefits of red wine? Many options have already been listed, but they still do not end. It is noteworthy that ophthalmologists have found a direct link between the strengthening of the muscles of the eyes and the use of red wine. That is, with its regular use, you can reduce the likelihood of vision problems in old age.
How useful is dry red wine in this case? It is an excellent means of preventing angiogenesis, that is, the formation of new blood vessels in the eye. Thus, this drink helps to reduce the risk of blindness or senile glaucoma.
Everything needs a measure!
How much should you drink red wine so as not to harm the body? Quite modest. That is, if we are talking about a glass of wine at dinner, then you should limit yourself to just this amount of drink.
It is customary to consider one serving of wine one hundred and twenty milliliters. Women are allowed only one drink per day, otherwise the harm from alcohol will outweigh all the benefits of wine. Men are a little more fortunate, they are allowed two servings. However, it is also better to limit yourself to one glass.
Who shouldn't drink red wine?
Is dry red wine healthy? Of course, yes, when it is drunk in the right amount. However, everything is not so clear. With a number of diseases, it is worth abandoning this drink altogether.
Oddly enough, it is strictly forbidden to drink wine with depression, as it can aggravate the situation. We are talking about the case when the diagnosis was made by a specialist.
It is also worth giving up a glass of wine for those who have coronary heart disease, hypertension, liver disease, or pancreatitis. In the presence of these ailments, you should not rely on the healing properties of the drink.
Who better to think?
There are a number of diseases in which you should limit the use of red wine, both dry and sweet. These include the following:
- Inflammation of the pancreas.
- Recent stroke or heart attack.
In these cases, you should beware and do not try this drink.
It is also recommended to take care of those who suffer from diabetes. In this case, you can drink red wine, but only in combination with food, it is better to drink in small sips in order to regulate your well-being. Excessive consumption of the drink can lead to a sharp drop in blood sugar levels.
What can frequent use lead to?
As already mentioned, it is useful to drink red wine only in small portions. Only in this case it will be beneficial, not harmful. And what are the consequences of improper, excessive use of the drink in question? Sad enough.
By the way, many note that after drinking sweet wine, their blood pressure rises, headaches, migraines occur. This is mainly due to the presence of sulfur dioxide in the drink. Now they are trying not to use this element, replacing it with rooibos. Winemakers believe that it will be a good alternative to preservatives. Therefore, dry wine remains preferable.
Excessive consumption of any alcohol, including red wine, can negate all its beneficial properties. So, there may be a risk of cancer, tumors. It is also worth noting that the regular abuse of wine can increase the risk of having children with pathologies. For the same reason, it is not recommended to drink this drink during pregnancy.
Liver diseases, including cancer and cirrhosis, can appear precisely because of the inability to drink wine in small portions. This can also be attributed to an increased risk of stroke, especially if there were already prerequisites for its occurrence.
Are there any benefits to drinking red wine? Of course, however, it is worth remembering that it is better to drink it in small portions, it is also worth monitoring your well-being. If discomfort occurs, alcohol should be discontinued. There is also a list of diseases in which red wine is contraindicated. It is also worth noting that many of the beneficial substances of this drink are also contained in the red grapes from which it is made. Therefore, it makes no sense to lean on alcohol. It can be replaced with just a delicious fruit.
It is also worth paying attention to what is written on the label of a bottle of wine. It must necessarily indicate where it was produced, from which grape variety. It is worth reading the composition, it should not contain dyes, preservatives or flavorings.
Grape wines are traditional holiday drinks. However, the competent use of grape wine has a positive effect on human health. Ancient healers were convinced of this, and modern medical research confirms the same fact. The main thing in the treatment of wine - you need to know when to stop.
The most useful, experts consider dry red wine consumed with meals. Ancient physicians, in particular Hippocrates, used wine as an antiseptic, diuretic, sedative, and as a solvent for medicines.
What is useful grape wine?
Red grape wine has valuable properties, thereby helping to maintain human health. It contains essential amino acids and compounds necessary for metabolism, as well as antioxidants that promote the development, growth and protection of cells. The composition of red wine includes magnesium - it helps in the work of the heart; a large amount of iron, chromium, involved in the synthesis of fatty acids in the body; zinc, which is responsible for the balance of acidic tissues; rubidium, which removes radioactive elements from the body.
A glass of red wine contains:
- 0.11 g of proteins,
- 0 g fat,
- 127.7 g of water,
- 15.9 g of alcohol,
- 0.3 g of fructose, which is found only in sweet wines.
It also includes macronutrients:
- 190 mg potassium,
- 6 mg sodium
- 12 mg calcium
- 18 mg magnesium.
Trace elements:
- iron in the amount of 0.69 mg,
- 0.3 mcg selenium,
- 0.017 mg copper,
- 0.21 mg zinc.
What are the benefits of wine? Wine has its own beneficial properties due to the content of biologically active elements in it - flavonoids, quercetin and reservatol, polyphenols and tannin. Polyphenols, in addition to preventing destructive processes in the human body, also help to remove free radicals from cells, while rejuvenating all organs and tissues in the body.
Medicinal properties of wine
1. Red wine is used in medicinal purposes, as it supports cardiac activity, helps to expand blood vessels, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood. With constant use, red wine almost completely flushes the blood vessels.
2. Wine with a high content of tannins helps with indigestion, causes the removal of toxins from the body.
3. Red table wine (up to 2 glasses a day) is recommended for anemia.
5. Mulled wine - hot red wine with sugar, can be used to treat flu, bronchitis, pneumonia.
6. Weakened patients are given 3-4 tablespoons of wine a day to restore vitality.
7. Red wine 100 - 250 ml per day serves to increase tone and immunity, and also promotes hematopoiesis.
8. When drinking red wine, appetite increases, metabolism normalizes, gastric juice is secreted and normal stomach acidity is maintained.
9. If you drink wine within the normal range, the secretion of the endocrine glands increases, sleep improves, cell aging slows down, the development of cancer is prevented, the development of caries slows down, and the deposition of tartar is prevented. In addition, wine is a wonderful remedy for stress and depression.
10. Recently, Canadian scientists have discovered another healing property of red wine - it prevents gum disease due to the high content of polyphenols.
Drink wine, but know the measure!
Of course, it is important to observe the measure in the use of wine:
- two to three glasses a day for men;
- no more than one and a half glasses for women.
Heart people are allowed no more than one glass of red wine during dinner and only with the permission of a specialist doctor. Here, busting will be much more dangerous than a shortage - with an overabundance of wine, it can seriously harm.
What wine is truly healthy?
Need to know what medicinal properties possess only absolutely natural wines. There are no medicinal properties in wine surrogates with artificial colors and flavors.
Special healing properties are distinguished by red wines made on the basis of matured grapes with thick skins. These are French wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, as well as Chilean wines.
Wine etiquette is a complex science. It requires not only knowledge, experience, but also a delicate taste. But the one who has befallen her will turn even an ordinary family dinner into an exquisite celebration.
Of course, it is not necessary to strictly follow the advice. But if you set out to strike on the spot with your gourmet guests, then it’s better to stick to traditions. They were formed for a reason: properly served wines excite the appetite, help to better reveal the taste meat dishes, set off the sophistication of sweets. When buying, the main thing is to study the label, and when serving, keep the order and take into account the compatibility of drinks with cooked dishes.
You need to be able not only to choose a drink, but also to present it. The splendor of color, subtle notes of aroma and taste of wine will emphasize a beautiful glass.
Wine glasses can be bought from porcelain or metal, but crystal leaves far behind all other materials. They will add a touch of real solemnity even to an ordinary lunch or dinner with loved ones.
The more expensive the wine and the more delicate its taste, the thinner the walls of the glass should be. Red wines can be served warm, so wide, low-stemmed crystal glasses that you can hold in your hand are suitable for them. For white wine, the stem should be high, and the glass itself should be medium in length. Then the drink will stay cool longer. Champagne "prefers" long, elongated shapes.
Types of wine
- Table wine is consumed during the daily meal. The label must indicate: the manufacturer, grape variety. Table wines are often young, not pretentious in terms of storage.
- Local wine includes semi-dry and dry wines. More often, their name comes from the grape variety - "Muscat", "Cabernet Sauvignon". The label must indicate the year of harvest and place of origin.
- Vintage wine is the highest category of wines that are made from the best varieties grapes. Before bottling, they are aged in cellars for 1.5 to 3 years. The name often gives the area or castle where the grapes are grown, which should also appear on the label.
What wine goes with what dish?
- Red is offered with dark meat: beef, lamb, pork, as well as goose and duck. The serving temperature should be 16-18'.
- Pink is served with desserts: cakes, sweets, fruits. Serving temperature to the table 8-12 ′.
- White is often served with fish, as well as light boiled meat - veal, chicken or turkey. Serving temperature to the table 8-12 ′.
What glasses are wine served in?
In a semicircle near the plate or from right to left in a straight line. Glasses are arranged in the order in which drinks are served: they start with large ones and gradually move to small ones.
It is known what stronger drink, the smaller the capacity - glasses and glasses. For wine, a tulip glass with a high stem is ideal - its shape is slightly narrower towards the top, which allows you to concentrate the aroma of the drink. Therefore, the glass is filled to half or 2 cm from the edge.
It is customary to use glasses for red wines in volume slightly larger than for whites. Champagne and other sparkling wines are poured into tall and narrow glasses to slow down the exhalation of the aroma and retain a high foam.
The glass should only be half filled with wine. Expensive, elite wines are poured only one-third. Only under this condition will it be possible to rotate the wine in a glass, saturating it with air, helping to reveal the peculiarities of taste. When the walls of the glass are slightly narrowed at the top, the aroma of the wine will be more concentrated. The wine is drunk slowly. Suitable for white grape wines fish meals, red wine is combined with meat. Dry champagne is universal in this regard. TO dessert varieties fruits, snacks, sweets (except chocolate) are served.
How to store
If the wine is stored incorrectly, then all the exquisite shades may not be brought to the feast. It is better to keep the wine in a cool place and always in a horizontal position. It is kept "lying", because in standing bottle The cork quickly dries up, which causes air to pass through, and then the wine becomes tasteless, it can acquire an unpleasant odor. The ideal temperature is maintained, of course, in the wine cellar.
Grape wine in cosmetology
The rejuvenating and tonic effect of red wine was still used by the ancient Romans, taking baths from it and rubbing it into the skin. The French believe that grape wine prolongs life, and in Bordeaux there are wine therapy centers where treatments can be combined with wine tasting. Why is grape wine so useful? Does it really prolong beauty and youth?
Grapes contain a complex of vitamins - A, C, B6, minerals - calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, as well as flavonoids - antioxidants that help prolong youth. Grape seeds are also useful: they contain polyphenols that cleanse blood vessels.
Wine from grape berries is no less useful: it also contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Our ancestors, of course, hardly knew about the beneficial properties of wine, since no one conducted a study of the composition of grapes and wine. However, the following should be taken into account here: using it in much larger quantities than we do, our ancestors looked younger and healthier than us.
A mysterious aroma of beauty always curls around wine, and it is not surprising: those who often drink good wine, can boast not only good health, but also healthy beauty. And that's why.
From grapes (if we are talking about grape wine) they get a polyphenol - a substance that fights harmful effects 10,000 times better environment than the same famous vitamin E, which has been recognized as an expert in this field. Polyphenol was obtained quite recently - in 1994.
Under the influence of a negative environment, aggressive oxygen compounds are formed in the human body - free radicals, which provoke oxidation, decay and similar destructive processes in our body. A polyphenol contains a component that fights free radicals. In fact, the fight against oxidants is a fight against time, against aging.
Wine can be consumed orally, but not more than 1 glass per day. And also use it as an external agent in the fight against aging.
Wine hair mask
Required products:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil,
- 2 tablespoons cream
- 1 tablespoon red wine.
Mix all ingredients, beat with a fork and apply to hair before washing. Put on a plastic cap and hold the mask for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo.
Wine face mask
This mask can be used to get smooth skin with an even complexion.
Required products:
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 4 tablespoons red wine
- 1 teaspoon of oatmeal.
Mix all products and apply on face and neck for 15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
Wine bath for nails
Against delamination of nails and to strengthen them, a bath of wine is suitable.
Required products:
- 100 ml dry white wine
- 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and soak your fingertips in this liquid for 20 minutes.
Wine foot bath
Required products:
- 1 glass of white wine
- 1 tablespoon linden flowers.
Pour the wine into a saucepan or saucepan, put on fire and bring to a boil. Add lime blossom, reduce heat, cover the mixture with a lid and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
Pour the mixture into the foot bath, lower the feet for 10 minutes. Then treat the feet with pumice stone and again lower into the wine bath. At the end, apply a nourishing cream to the feet and put on cotton socks.
Currently, there are entire SPA centers located in the vineyards themselves, which use cosmetics based on polyphenols. In addition to fighting free radicals, polyphenol also improves blood microcirculation in skin cells, supports their metabolism and fills them with energy.
Of course, our ancestors, who drank much more wine than we do, hardly knew what a polyphenol was, but they also did not know the negative environmental factors that we encounter daily. And, accordingly, our great-great-grandmothers looked younger than their years.
Wine was not invented by mankind. The properties of aged grapes were revealed long ago and quite by accident. There is a beautiful legend about this, and historians have not come to a compromise about the time and place of the first mention of the cultivation of plants - the basis for grape wine. But since then, the discussion of the topic: “Is red wine healthy?” haunts neither men, nor women, nor states.
For residents of a number of European and Middle Eastern countries, red wine is a medicine for health, and its moderate drinking is an unwritten law, a tribute to long-term traditions. For some states, winemaking is an economic necessity, while for others it is an important part of exports.
In this article, only facts on the topic: "The benefits and harms of red wine for health", and decide whether it is healthy to drink this alcoholic drink, to each person independently.
What are the benefits of red wine
Benefits of red wineBefore talking about the benefits of red wine, or answering the question “Why is red wine harmful?” Let’s analyze the composition of this natural product. I would like to emphasize that the beneficial properties of red wine are found only when it comes to a quality drink prepared in compliance with all technological requirements, shelf life and aging.
Wine production is based on grapes, the natural composition of which is very diverse and contains many vitamins, natural antioxidants and preservatives (for example, tannin), macro- and microelements. This explains the health benefits of red wine.
Potassium and calcium, magnesium and sodium, chromium and iron, zinc and a number of other useful elements “try” for the heart, blood and cells, thanks to which red wine has beneficial properties, contributing to the normalization of red blood cells and hemoglobin, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, strengthening heart muscles, as well as facilitating the removal of radioactive substances.
A separate stimulus for the body is given by antioxidants (flavonoids, in particular, resveratrol), providing stimulation of the immune system, protecting it from viruses, normalizing metabolic processes in the liver and cells, preventing their degeneration.
Tannin also has a beneficial effect on health, which localizes possible anomalies of blood vessels and gives them elasticity, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and reducing the harmful effects of smoking.
There is a belief that the benefits of dry red wine are also that it reduces the risk of developing diabetes, can improve vision, the condition of the oral cavity and skin. Well, there is no need to talk about the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza - this property of dry wine for health is used by everyone who has tried this divine drink at least once to recover from a dangerous illness and with exhaustion.
Red wine is useful both as an antiseptic that can neutralize harmful microflora, and as a stress reliever. Properly cooked Home wine It will also provide you with a restful sleep. Older people with periodic use of dry red wine will be able to notice an improvement in hearing, or at least a decrease in its regression.
Care must be taken to use the properties of alcohol to regulate pressure. Table (sweet and semi-sweet) varieties increase, and dry ones lower blood pressure. But we must remember that no matter what wine you choose, you need to know the measure in everything: it is not recommended to drink every day: the only benefit is from natural and high-quality alcoholic beverages in small quantities.
It seems that the answer to the question “Is dry red wine healthy?” would be incomplete if not to tell about its benefits separately for men and for women.
For men
Moderately drinking men can not only count on an increase in potency, but also avoid the manifestation of secondary female sexual characteristics in the body. The fact is that in those who drink dry red wine, the amount of aromatase, an enzyme that modifies testosterone into female hormones, decreases, and the processes of resistance to prostate cancer cells increase. Therefore, drinking red wine for men in moderate doses is vital - the masculinity is easier to maintain than to restore later.
The benefits of red wine for men are not limited only to the prevention of sexual diseases, but also is the prevention of vascular diseases, successfully resisting cardiac pathologies (heart attacks, strokes).
For women
Glass of red wine Let's start again with sexuality. It's no secret that alcoholic beverages in small doses increase sexual desire. This fully applies to red wine, which, moreover, several times enhances the feeling of intimacy. And what makes a woman sexy, desirable and attractive? Self-confidence. And this very confidence gives her a feeling of youth, beauty, firm and elastic skin.
Collagen takes care of female skin, the activity of which in the body is stimulated by the components contained in wine. This element, which contributes to the strength and elasticity of the skin, improves appearance women, providing elasticity and healthy skin color.
But not only from ingestion, there are benefits from red wine. Red wine, if used in home spa programs, helps prevent cellulite and gives a feeling of freshness: just add a few glasses of dry red wine to the water while taking a bath. It is only important to comply temperature regime water - it should not be hotter than 35-36 degrees.
Agree, this pleasure at home is not so expensive (in SPA salons, the prices for such procedures “bite” a lot), and you will get benefits and bliss with a margin of several days in advance. Melatonin, which is found in abundance in wine drinks and promote a sound and healthy night's sleep.
The benefits of red wine for women are not limited to beauty and peace. This drink plays an important role in the prevention of female diseases and discomfort.
Fructose, one of the constituent elements of red wine, cleanses the body of salts and esters of oxalic acid. Resveratrol blocks the activity of breast cancer. Other components reduce the likelihood of kidney disease, regenerate thyroid secretion. During the period of fading of the menstrual function, red wine will reduce pain syndromes.
And, finally, dry red wine is called the “miracle element” of any diet due to its low calorie content. quality drink enhances metabolic processes, which, in turn, suppresses the processes of obesity. Therefore, many nutritionists recommend drinking several glasses of dry wine per week.
Anyone who prefers rosé wine should understand that the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of red wine is slightly stronger, and white wine is weaker.
Contraindications
Wine storage Despite the many benefits of moderate and regular consumption, dry red wine has both benefits and harms. Almost any product, even the most natural, can cause individual intolerance. Therefore, if you want to use wine as a panacea for many ailments, the consultation of a medical specialist on this matter is strictly required.
Wine is an alcoholic drink, and alcohol is incompatible with the acute forms of any disease. In addition, it is a serious allergen. In diabetes mellitus, chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gout, alcohol is especially dangerous.
Hereditary alcoholism is also a serious reason for not drinking wine. Abuse will negatively affect mental health, causing physical dependence on alcoholic beverages. Problems with insomnia are not excluded.
With abundant "libations" the work of the heart and liver will be disrupted, oncological complications of the oral cavity and esophagus may occur, and migraine attacks are possible.
The theme of "pregnancy, lactation and alcohol" stands apart. Some doctors do not mind one or two glasses to relieve tension in the muscles of the uterus, but in each case, the decision is made by the attending gynecologist. And during feeding, any alcohol is contraindicated!
Arguments about the usefulness of wine in the prenatal development of a child remain controversial. There is no evidence base and clinical studies, and most likely there cannot be. Therefore, it is best to give up any alcohol during pregnancy and lactation, except perhaps adding it to the bath for home SPA treatments.
So what is more - benefit or harm - from drinking wine?
We note again: it all depends on what quality the wine product is used, in what quantity and with what regularity. For both men and women, only high-grade alcohol is recommended. Wine from concentrates, or produced in violation of the technological cycle, as well as exceeding reasonable doses, will not bring the expected benefits, and possibly harm your health.
About the meal
Dry wine contains less than 3 g/dm3 of sugar, its calorie content is about 75 kilocalories per 100 ml, and its strength is up to 13 degrees. Red wines are astringent; to fully reveal the bouquet, the drink is recommended to be served at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Wine should be drunk slowly, then you will get much more pleasure from drinking it.
The perfect company for dry red is poultry and game dishes, veal and lamb, barbecue, fish, pilaf and boiled pork, as well as vegetable dishes and cheese.
Few believe that dry red wine goes well with fruits. But the sour taste of dry wine, coupled with sweet oranges or peaches, gives a special piquancy to this combination.
- Wine is mentioned about 500 times in Holy Scripture.
- The science of wine is oenology.
- The fear or fear of wine is oenophobia.
- The most popular wine in the world is dry, the share of red wines is 55%.
- The most expensive wine in the world was sold at the beginning of the 21st century at Sotheby's for more than 200 thousand euros.
- The largest bottle of wine in the world is 1.8 meters high and weighs 585 kilograms.
- The first corkscrew appeared in 1795.
Once again, we note that the beneficial properties of red wine should not stimulate its excessive use.
Useful properties of red wine were allocated by Hippocrates. Louis Pasteur spoke no less positively about the effect of wine. In many countries, such as France, red wine is considered the national drink and is consumed as a daily mandatory drink.
Composition of red wine
The benefits of red wine as a natural product obtained as a result of fermentation pure juice, is undeniable. The drink contains many useful substances. The composition of red wine includes micro and macro elements: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium and rubidium. Thanks to the "bouquet", red wine has a beneficial effect on the activity of the cardiovascular system: it dilates blood vessels, reduces the level of bad cholesterol and prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
Magnesium and potassium strengthen the heart muscle. Wine has a no less positive effect on blood composition, increases the number of red blood cells, increases hemoglobin levels and reduces the risk of anemia, removes radionuclides and reduces blood density.
Drinking the drink has a stimulating effect on the digestive tract: it increases appetite, enhances the secretion of glands, helps maintain a normal level of acidity in the stomach and enhances the production of bile. Substances contained in red wine normalize metabolic processes: chromium is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, so red wine is allowed in many diets.
Red wine is a source of bioflavonoids and antioxidants - quercetin and resveratrol. They not only fight free radicals and prevent premature aging of cells, but also prevent the formation of blood clots, reduce the risk of developing cancer. Resveratrol is good for gums, strengthens them, prevents plaque and prevents harmful bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans from sticking to tooth enamel.
