Edited & published by Daniella Nicole on Apr 30, 2010
Though red wine gets all the attention, there are several health benefits of white wine, too. Some are specific to wine, and others are true of any moderate alcohol consumption. From heart health and reducing cancer risk to overall stress reduction, learn about the health benefits of white wine.
The health benefits of white wine can be grouped into two categories: some because of its health properties as wine, and others because of the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption in general. Though based on fermented grapes, wine doesn't quite count as a serving of fruit. Instead, its health benefits come from the properties of those grapes after they have fermented.
One of the leading health benefits of white wine is its role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Here's how it works: It's thought that alcohol helps protect against heart disease because it raises the level of "good cholesterol" as well as thins the blood, which reduces buildup or clogging in the arteries.
Studies show that people who regularly have 1-2 drinks each day are significantly less likely to die of heart disease. This benefit is, in fact, associated with any type of alcohol that is consumed regularly, in moderation (defined as no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men).
Moderation here is important. Technically, drinking more and more alcohol would cause less and less build-up in the arteries. However, more than 1-2 drinks per day (for men and women, as noted above) is not part of a healthy lifestyle, and in fact starts increasing health detriment elsewhere, particularly the liver.
Diet and exercise are the most effective ways to get a health heart; wine merely has added benefits. This is why moderation matters. At the right level, you can maximize the health benefits of white wine without experiencing negative side-effects.
Cancer-Fighting Free Radicals
No, wine doesn't count as a serving of fruit, but it does retain one of the major health benefits that grapes have: anti-oxidants. "Free radicals" are known to damage the body on a cellular level and help cancer spread, but anti-oxidants, such as those found in grapes and wine, help fight free-radicals.
Both red and white wine contain free radicals, and those levels are higher in red wine, the anti-oxidants in white wine are still healthful, especially when wine is consumed regularly.
White vs. Red Wine
Red wine does contain more antioxidants than white wine, but in most other areas, both colors are equal in their impact on your body's health. This is especially true with the main health benefit of white wine: increased heart health. If you're concerned about heart disease, white and red wine have an equal impact on your coronary health.
Reduction in heart disease plus cancer-fighting properties are the greatest health benefits of white wine, but not the only links that have been found. To smaller degrees, white wine has also been associated with:
* Improved lung function (via antioxidants)
* Reductions in ulcer-causing bacteria
* Decreased risk of ovarian cancer
* Lower stroke risk
* Stronger bones
The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. This article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on BrightHub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed.
Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.
In any case, now you can sip your favorite glass of wine with ease and even fervor tonight. After all, the health benefits of wine speak for themselves.
http://www.brighthub.com/health/diet-nutrition/articles/70195.aspx
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