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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Does the Acai Berry Help you lose weight?

I don't know if the Acai Berry will help you lose weight, but I did buy some juice last night. It is a blend and it tastes good.

If nothing else, it has tons of vitamins! I've discovered that Acai Berry is filled with vitamins and minerals is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, fiber and other plant compounds.

I am doubtful that is promotes weight loss because the research evidence for such a connection is lacking. I even heard Oprah Winfrey has posted comments on her web site disassociating herself with acai products that claim to promote weight loss.

Acai (pronounced a-sigh-EE) comes in a number of forms including juice, pulp, powder and capsule. The berry has been touted as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial. The fruit is said to contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential. ALL berries do this -but this one may be more concentrated. I have read notes from people saying it gives your energy :)

The fruit is about the size of a large blueberry yet only the outermost layers of the fruit, the pulp surrounding a large internal seed, are edible. It comes from South America.

Here is some facts I found when researching the nutrient value:

1. the caloric value of a single serving (approximately 600 calories per standard 100 g) is exceptional among comparative berry fruit apparently due to its remarkably high fat content

2. the total fat content for açaí berry is highly unusual for fruit, some 40% of dry weight

3. it has a very high fiber content, approximately 35%

4. relative to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) and the micronutrient-dense goji berry, açaí has remarkable contents of several essential minerals – calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc

5. lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins A and E are rich in concentration, 1000 IU and 45 mg per 100 g, respectively. 67% of the total tocopherols in açaí pulp are alpha-tocopherol

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