Benefits of wine in the diet

It is clearly shown that l is harmful to health. In fact, an abuse of it can cause, among others, liver, tumor, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. However, it has long been known that the wine It has healthy properties and its consumption in moderation can provide health benefits.

Among the components of wine there are substances that are characterized by their properties, these are polyphenols. Polyphenols are molecules present in vegetables (in grapes) to which protective action against some diseases has been attributed. There are several classes of polyphenols, the best known of which are flavonoids and stilbenes (such as resveratrol).

The different studies that have been carried out in recent years have shown the beneficial effect of moderate consumption of red wine.

About cardiovascular disease

heart disease (such as) and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries from cholesterol plaque deposits). It appears that the flavonoids present in the Red wine, Due to their antioxidant properties, they exert a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases in drinkers who consume moderate amounts of wine at meals. Therefore, it is highly recommended, the consumption of a glass of red wine a day.

About neurological diseases

Cerebrovascular disease (embolism): Although the studies carried out to demonstrate the effect of polyphenols on cardiovascular disease indicate their beneficial effect, this same effect seems controversial in cerebrovascular disease and the studies carried out have not yielded positive results to date.

Cognitive impairment (dementia): The moderate wine consumption it can have beneficial effects in preventing cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease.

About tumor diseases

Resveratrol has a tumoricidal effect in vitro, that is, it is capable of inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. This "in vitro" activity has been described in breast, prostate and leukemia tumors. A recent study has shown the protective role of consuming one or two glasses of red wine a day against lung cancer in smokers.

The risk of toxicity on the skin appears to be much lower, according to recent work, in cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy treatment if they consume a single glass of wine a day. Specifically, their risk of significant skin toxicity is 75% lower than in non-drinkers.

About other diseases

Some beneficial effects of the administration of polyphenols on various diseases such as cataracts and dental caries have recently been described in studies carried out with experimental animals.

It should be noted that these effects described have been seen with red wine and its moderate consumption (one or two glasses a day). It is considered that 40 grams of alcohol per day (1/2 liter) for men and 20 grams (1/4 liter) for women are amounts that the body can metabolize. However, the level of toxicity for alcohol depends on different factors; the age of the person, their body complexion, their state of health or whether or not they have consumed food together with the alcoholic beverage. For this reason, since wine does not only have beneficial substances, people used to drinking wine should know that it is unhealthy to drink more than two glasses a day (125 cc each glass). Taking more amounts does more harm than good.