Red wine’s beneficial health effects may be related to improved circulation, according to a recent study by Israeli researchers. Red wine is a time-honored component of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Consumption is associated with longer lifespan and less cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks. Israeli investigators had 14 young healthy volunteers drink 250 cc of red [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Alcohol’
April 11, 2010
Longevity Components of the Mediterranean Diet
According to Greek researchers, the components of the Mediterranean diet that contribute to longer lifespan are: moderate alcohol consumption low consumption of meat high consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and legumes The following didn’t seem to contribute much, if any: cereals (the grain of a grass such as wheat, corn, oats) dairy products fish and seafood [...]
February 27, 2010
Alcohol Habit (Especially Wine) Started in Middle-Age Reduces Heart Attack and Stroke
Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. His mother asked him to do it. Of all the miracles he performed and could have performed, I wonder why this is the first one recorded in the Holy Bible. We have known for years that low or moderate alcohol consumption tends to lower the risk of [...]
February 4, 2010
Red Wine With Meaty Meals Possibly Healthier Than Wine and Meat Alone
Meaty meal in the making Wine is a time-honored component of the healthy Mediterranean diet and, traditionally, is consumed with meals. For science and food geeks, Bix at the Fanatic Cook blog has a post outlining how red wine consumption with meals might be healthy: it reduces blood levels of cytotoxic lipid peroxidation products like malondialdehyde. By no [...]
November 2, 2009
Lower My Risk of Diabetes? I’ll Drink to That!
How many grams of alcohol are in this wine? Judicious alcohol consumption is linked to lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes: 40% lower risk in women, 13% lower in men. The latest issue of Diabetes Care reports the comparison of lifetime abstainers with alcohol drinkers. The protective “dose” of alcohol is 22–24 grams a day. [...]
September 7, 2009
Do Grape Products Other Than Wine Affect Heart Disease Risk?
Grape products favorably affect four risk factors for heart disease, according to a scientific review published last year. The “French Paradox” refers to the fact that certain regions of France have low levels of heart disease despite high consumption of saturated fats that supposedly cause heart disease. Some have explained away the paradox by noting [...]
August 26, 2009
Alcohol Types Other Than Wine Increase Risk of Cancer in Men
Researchers recently reported that Canadian men who are regular alcohol drinkers – on a daily or weekly basis – have a higher risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, lung, and prostate. The more men drink, the greater the risk. The investigators suspect that alcohol may be responsible for up to 5% of all invasive [...]
August 17, 2009
Wine Safely Lowers Fasting Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
Wine consumption lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 15% in type 2 diabetics who had previously not been habitual drinkers, according to a 2007 study in Israel. Background Judicious alcohol consumption is linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), longer lifespan, and lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The beneficial [...]
August 6, 2009
Potential Adverse Effects of Alcohol
In a recent blog post, I discussed the potential benefits of alcohol consumption on longevity, coronary artery disease, and dementia. I have no intention of overselling the benefits of alcohol. If you are considering habitual alcohol as a food, be aware that the health benefits are still somewhat debatable. Consumption of three or more alcoholic drinks per [...]
August 3, 2009
Potential Beneficial Effects of Alcohol
For centuries, the healthier populations in the Mediterranean region have enjoyed wine in light to moderate amounts, usually with meals. Observational studies there and in other parts of the world have associated reasonable alcohol consumption with prolonged lifespan, reduced coronary artery disease, diminished Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and possibly fewer strokes. Alcohol tends to increase HDL [...]
