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Red Wine

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan. 2007 ~ Mar. 2007: Health Center: Red Wine users admin

Author Message
Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 4:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Does anyone have any comments about using red wine as a supplement, for its heart-ptotecting qualities?

I really don't like red wine, in fact I don't like many alcoholic beverages at all, but red wine I find particularly bad. I also, whatever the alcohol, feel a little tipsy very quickly, after only a few sips, and my legs go a bit tingly. What I wanted opinions on was is it worth me sticking with having a glass of wine two or three times a week for the health benfits, or is it just not worth the bother?

I've tried looking on the internet, but every report says something different. Has anyone had problems with alcohol (I mean in that they didn't like it or the effects of it) but stuck with it? And if so, have the symptoms improved?

My husband particularly could use the benefits of red wine, and I'd like to support him.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 4:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Could you use it in cooking? The alcohol burns off but would the health benefits be the same?

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
If you don't like wine, there are other ways to get the same benefits. Vitamin D, Antioxidants, Fish Oil to name 3 supplements.

Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 8:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beachcomber a private message Print Post    
I heard Larry King say he drinks red grape juice and it is suppose to have the same benefits as red wine. I don't know if that is 100% accurate, but it would be worth investigating.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 9:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
From the American Heart Association

right now the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain these potential benefits. The AHA does recommend that to reduce your risk you should talk to your doctor about lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, controlling your weight, getting enough exercise and following a healthy diet. There is no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace these conventional measures.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4422

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 12:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
If I can jump in...beachcomber is right that its the red grapes that give the benefit not the alcohol so if you don't like drinking wine then grape juice will be the equivelent. But I would go one step further.. my number one diet rule is NEVER DRINK YOUR FOOD. Instead of orange juice, eat a orange. You gets loads more fibre, it's more filling and because it takes multiple oranges to fill a glass with juice... just eating the orange is less calories and sugar. The only liquids I allow in my house are water and herbal tea. So if you want the red wine benefit I would suggest you have a handfull of red grapes. JMHO

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 9:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Arg I'm still confused, the articles here seem to not recommend it but so many others say it's good for increasing good cholesterol. There are also articles about it helping brain health. Some of the articles say it's the alcohol that does it (so grape juice wouldn't work as well) and some say it's the ... some chemical beginning with p... that does the magic. I don't know, I suppose there's no definitive answer or we'd be able to find out for sure.

My dh does all the other things, but has a very bad family history with regards to cholesterol and heart health so if something as simple as a glass of wine three times a week makes a difference we'd like to try it. At least I suppose it's one of those things we know does no harm, at the very least. Maybe if I have a glass once in the while I might begin to get used to it!

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I think the red wine contains flavinoids. Not sure about grapes, but probably.

I just went to a lecture the other day.. not sure where the handouts got to.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Flavonoids are are found in raw and/or minimally processed cocoa and green tea.. antioxidant. In plants they protect, repair damage and shield from environmental toxins. We appear to get some of this same benefit from eating plant-based foods rich in flavonoids.

(I think red wine does contain flavonoids, in fact I have a red t-shirt from Ravenswood winery that says "Free the Flavinoids".

Flavonoids also thought to help reduce platelet activation and may affect the relaxation capabilities of blood vessels.

The lecture was actually about the benefits of chocolate.

Chocolate Alternatives: Soy nuts, nuts/almonds



Berries are loaded with healing antioxidants too. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. containe ellagic acid, a plant compound that combats carcinogens. Blueberries als appear to delay the onset of age-related loss of cognitive function.

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts contain a potent antioxidant that breaks down estrogen in the body, that reduces the risk of brest cancer and other estrogen-sensitive cancers like ovarian and cervical.

Broccoli also contains other ptotective constituents like beta-carotene, which can help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is twice as powerful as beta-carotene./Men who eat more tomatoes or tomato sauce have significntly lower rates of prostate cancer.

Lycopene can help prevent lung, colon and breast cancers.

Tomatoes also contain the antioxidant glutathione

(note that lightly cooked tomatoes and carrots are preferrable to raw ones, since heat allows more desirable antioxidants in tomatoes to be made available to the body)

Also because lycopene is fat-soluble, eating tomatoes with oil canimprove absorption.

Sun dried tomatoes better than raw.

Ah here we go

Red Grapes

A little red win can keep your heart beating longer and stronger. Why Mostly because of substances called resveratrol and quercetin found in red grapes. These potent antioxidants boost heart health by acting as free-radical scavengers, reducing platelet aggregation and helping blood vessels to remain open and flexible. Reserveratrol can also protect against cancer and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases, gastric ulcers, strok and even osteoporosis.

Garlic is packed with antioxidents. The sulfur compounds that give garlic its pungent odor are thought to be responsible for the healing benefits (odorless garlic pills not so good)

Garlic is thought to lower cholesterol levels and BP. Fights free radicals and keeps blood from clotting. Other studies sugges that eating garlic regularly can help prevent cancer. It also has potent anti-fungal properties and can help treat asthma and yeast infections.

Spinach. Less likely to develop cattaracts and macular degeneration

Tea

Recent studies show that green and black tea are equal in antioxidants, significantly reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke. But not if you put milk or cream in your tea. This is probably why people in places like the UK, where tea is a staple, don't see the same benefits as people in asia who don't put milk in their tea.

Carrots, beets, sweet potatoes.. loaded with beta carotene.

Soy

Helps prevent cancer, lowers cholesterol, and osteoporosis, helps with effects of menopause Contains genistein. Helps prevent breast, colon and prostate cancers, over all cholesterol and LDL (bad chol without affecting the levels of beneficial HDL. Helps prevent osteoporosis

And whole grains are good.. source of phytochemicals, vitamin E, antioxidant..

Studies have shown that whole grain can boost immunity, slow progression of alzheimers, treat and possibly prevent arthritis, prevent sunburn and treat male infertility.

Also rich in phytic acid, known as IP-6, a potent antioxiidant that can help protect against breast, colon and liver cancers.

This all from a local doctor who has been researching and gathering this info.

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 12:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Wow, thanks for all that good info Seamonkey. I had no idea about the brocolli, cabbage, cauli and sprouts link to oestrogen. For those of us who have never been pregnant that might be an important addition to the diet.

I wish I could be motivated to cook more, all those great things taste good if you make an effort, but for some reason I never do.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 2:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I know.. I feel so guilty about what I eat and what I don't eat.. That was a little scattered but that was the way he presented it.. luckily we got copies of his slides.. he also had quite an accent.. but he and his doctor brother have done a lot of research.

By the way, it isn't that much chocolate but a small amount at least three times a week, but they mean dark chocolate.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 6:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Kitt, Tupperware makes a fantastic microwave steamer. You truly can't screw up veggies in it! Even my kids will eat brocolli now.
I think the point about red wine is..IF you drink it, then a few glasses a week won't hurt you and MAY have some benefit, but don't start drinking just to get the benefits. There are plenty of other ways to gain the same benefits. The benefits are not exclusive to red wine.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 9:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yep, you could probably get the same or better benefits eating some blueberries. Don't take up drinking wine if you really don't like it. But if you already drink beer or hard liquor, you might be better off switching to red wine if you are going to drink anyway.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 12:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Blueberries are a super food! I wish I liked them better. I like blackberries and raspberries better.

And what Juju said!

And as that doctor pointed out, some people are allergic to red wine, so it isn't a good option for them.

He really pushed tomatoes and tomato sauce as very beneficial too.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 11:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
I like raspberries and blackberries way better than blueberries too. To me, blueberries have almost no taste. Where I live is the premier raspberry growing region of the United States. Last summer I found out how and where to go for U-pick raspberries. But it was late in the season. I intend to go back there a lot next summer.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 11:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
What Tex said... most of the studies are along the lines of "if you are going to drink and if you are already drinking"...

If I were you, I would talk to my doctor. He or she can provide better information that is more suitable to your needs.

The problem with the Internet these days is it's too easy to get information. Information that may or MAY NOT apply in any given situation.

As far as the "I hate blueberries" thing, mix 'em in with other berries. My breakfast this morning was a handful of strawberries and a handful of blueberries, with a half container of yogurt, 1/4 c of granola, and 1/8 c of raisins. You can also make smoothies with mixed berries, including a handful of blueberries. Sometimes, I'll make smoothies instead of eating my fruit... instead of granola and raisins, I'll dump in everything else and add a bit of natural juice (depending on what I have in the house) and a banana (to thicken).

As far as tomato sauce, be careful of what kind of tomato sauce you eat. Most market brands contain extra salt and sugar, neither of which is necessary. If you can find natural, low-sodium, no-sugar-added sauces, they are better for you.

Generally, I think COLOR!!!! I try to eat meals with a variety of colors in them. That includes reds, greens, oranges, and yellows. Spaghetti sauce with added green and red peppers. Risotto with asparagus and yellow squash. Salads with every color vegetable under the rainbow. Dark green greens... Ditto with fruits.

If you're not a vegetarian, think colorful fish. Salmon is an excellent source of various nutrients, as is fresh tuna. Again, think color.

If you live in an area with great produce isn't available all year round, starting working the produce guy in your market. If you let him know what you want, he'll work with you. This works for me even when I travel and may never again see the guy. (Just last week, I asked the produce guy at a market near SLC about the berries, and said "hang on" and went and got a fresh basket out of a just-delivered box -- and yes, they looked a heckuva lot better than what was out on display!

But always, when adapting diet to meet certain health requirements, you should always talk to your doctor. Starting to drink a glass of wine a night because somewhere someone said it's beneficial does NOT necessarily mean that it's beneficial -- or right -- for you. :-)

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 4:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Good points, Costa. My dh's doctor said "it can't hurt" when asked about red wine last year. It does seem pretty harmless to people in general good health and without dependency issues. I just don't know how much good it would do. I don't think there's a real answer right now and you're right, other things might do as well.