Health Benefits of Red Wine - Weight loss - Heart Health

I was intrigued when I watched a news report about the health benefits of drinking one glass of red wine daily for women and 2 glasses for men.  According to the report there are heart benefits and possible weight loss benefits.  I like to call it the "fat rat" study.  They gave fat rats red wine and the fat rats lived as long as the skinny rats with none of the health risks associated with obesity.  Some studies say that the risk of heart attack is reduced by 30 to 50%.

Now I personally do not like wine, but I have found drinking one glass manageable, and I do admit that it is growing on me.  It has to be a sweet red wine for me however and I have even tried mixing it with diet soda or Coke products.  I have found that it satisfies my sweet tooth and the need for a little something in the evening.



Studies show that the red wine consumption can raise the good HDL cholesterol and lower the bad LDL cholesterol.  Red wine has a rich source of antioxidant flavonoid phenolics including resveratrol found in the grape skins and seeds

A recent study shows a boost in brain power for women who enjoy a little alcohol. The study, published in the Jan. 20 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated more than 12,000 women aged 70-81. Moderate drinkers scored better than teetotalers on tests of mental function. Researchers found a boost in brainpower with one drink a day.

What about weight loss - there is actually a Red Wine Diet by Roger Corder, a leading researcher with England's William Harvey Research Institute for 15 years.  His theory is for a gradual and holistic approach to diet and health with the weight loss be a side benefit, done slowly over a period of time.

So I say this fat rat has her wine each night!

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