#redwine #Christmas #healthbenefits
Did you know that red wine could be healthy? There is abundant evidence that moderate intake of red wine may have have beneficial effects. It may promote heart health and even fight some forms of cancer. However, moderate consumption of red wine is key
What Is Red Wine?
This is the type of wine made from black grape varieties. But the color of the wine may differ – ranging from intense violet (young wines) to brick red (mature wines) and brown.
How the wine is made is an interesting story – right from being handpicked to bottled. We will discuss the process in detail in a later section in this post. But, simply put, red wine is made by crushing and fermenting dark colored grapes
The alcohol content of red wine usually ranges from 12% to 15%.
Organic wine is another type of wine that has a subtle difference. This wine is produced from grapes that are grown according to the principles of organic farming – which prohibits the use of chemicals and other artificial fertilizers.
One glass of red wine has about 125 calories. It contains about 3.8 grams of carbohydrates and no cholesterol.
But hey, did you know there are different types of red wine?
There are different types of red wine, each with its own unique element. Some of the most popular ones are:
– Syrah, which is also called Shiraz. This variety produces spicy and hearty red wine. The variety is usually used to produce average wines. But some of the wines coming from this variety have intense flavors and great longevity.
– Merlot, whose softness has made this variety an ‘introducing wine’ to new wine drinkers.
– Cabernet, which is one of the world’s best varieties. This wine type usually undergoes oak treatment.
– Malbec, having originated from the district of Bordeaux in France, this variety is often blended with cabernet and merlot.
– Pinot noir, which is one of the noblest red wine grapes. This variety is difficult to grow.
– Zinfandel, the world’s most versatile wine grape variety.
– Sangiovese, which can be a good choice for Italian style cuisines.
– Barbera, which has similar attributes as Merlot, though not as popular.
Not just the varieties, but red wine has a rich history too.
What Is The History Of Red Wine?
Red wine was first produced (using the fermentation process) in Georgia and Iran way back around 6000 BC. And wine was first mentioned as a man-made medicine around 2200 BC, in ancient Egyptian Papyri and Sumerian tablets.
Hippocrates, widely known as the father of Western medicine, promoted wine as a part of a healthy diet. According to him, wine was also good for disinfecting wounds, easing the pain during childbirth, and treating symptoms of diarrhea and lethargy. Even during the Middle Ages, Catholic monks were known to frequently use wine for a variety of medical treatments. And during the 1892 cholera epidemic that shook Germany, wine was used to sterilize water.
The early 20th century saw the rise of the Temperance movement that discouraged wine consumption, linking it to alcoholism.
And over the recent years, numerous studies have been conducted that threw a positive light on wine, especially the red variety. Research has shown that moderate wine consumption has beneficial effects on heart health and diabetes management. It might also help fight obesity and diseases of the nervous system. You will see a ton of this research in this post. Just keep reading.
Before we proceed any further, you need to know about the French paradox. This is the observation that the French have very low rates of heart disease, despite consuming large amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat (1). Certain experts believe that the regular consumption of red wine by the French could be a reason.
What is also important to consider is that studies have shown that saturated fat and cholesterol are not always so bad. When consumed in moderate amounts, they don’t cause any harm (2), (3).
Well, this does show red wine as an elixir for vitality and good health. We don’t know that yet, but what ingredients in red wine could make it so beneficial?
What Ingredients In Red Wine Make It So Beneficial?
Red wine is made from grapes, and grapes are rich in several antioxidants. Some of these include catechins, resveratrol, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins
Resveratrol, the antioxidant coming from grape skins, has anti-aging and heart-healthy benefits.
Flavonoids, especially the anthocyanins, that render the wine a rich red color, can have beneficial effects for overall health. And proanthocyanidins can reduce heart disease risk (5). These antioxidants also help combat free radical damage. Wines contain sugar too – which is something you need to consider.
Dry wine – 4 grams of sugar per liter
Medium dry wine – 4 to 12 grams of sugar per liter (0.5 to 2 grams per glass)
Sweet wine – 45 grams of sugar per liter (6 grams per glass)
Red wine could be available in all these types, and if possible, try to go for the dry variety.
Did you know that red wine could be healthy? There is abundant evidence that moderate intake of red wine may have have beneficial effects. It may promote heart health and even fight some forms of cancer. However, moderate consumption of red wine is key
What Is Red Wine?
This is the type of wine made from black grape varieties. But the color of the wine may differ – ranging from intense violet (young wines) to brick red (mature wines) and brown.
How the wine is made is an interesting story – right from being handpicked to bottled. We will discuss the process in detail in a later section in this post. But, simply put, red wine is made by crushing and fermenting dark colored grapes
The alcohol content of red wine usually ranges from 12% to 15%.
Organic wine is another type of wine that has a subtle difference. This wine is produced from grapes that are grown according to the principles of organic farming – which prohibits the use of chemicals and other artificial fertilizers.
One glass of red wine has about 125 calories. It contains about 3.8 grams of carbohydrates and no cholesterol.
But hey, did you know there are different types of red wine?
There are different types of red wine, each with its own unique element. Some of the most popular ones are:
– Syrah, which is also called Shiraz. This variety produces spicy and hearty red wine. The variety is usually used to produce average wines. But some of the wines coming from this variety have intense flavors and great longevity.
– Merlot, whose softness has made this variety an ‘introducing wine’ to new wine drinkers.
– Cabernet, which is one of the world’s best varieties. This wine type usually undergoes oak treatment.
– Malbec, having originated from the district of Bordeaux in France, this variety is often blended with cabernet and merlot.
– Pinot noir, which is one of the noblest red wine grapes. This variety is difficult to grow.
– Zinfandel, the world’s most versatile wine grape variety.
– Sangiovese, which can be a good choice for Italian style cuisines.
– Barbera, which has similar attributes as Merlot, though not as popular.
Not just the varieties, but red wine has a rich history too.
What Is The History Of Red Wine?
Red wine was first produced (using the fermentation process) in Georgia and Iran way back around 6000 BC. And wine was first mentioned as a man-made medicine around 2200 BC, in ancient Egyptian Papyri and Sumerian tablets.
Hippocrates, widely known as the father of Western medicine, promoted wine as a part of a healthy diet. According to him, wine was also good for disinfecting wounds, easing the pain during childbirth, and treating symptoms of diarrhea and lethargy. Even during the Middle Ages, Catholic monks were known to frequently use wine for a variety of medical treatments. And during the 1892 cholera epidemic that shook Germany, wine was used to sterilize water.
The early 20th century saw the rise of the Temperance movement that discouraged wine consumption, linking it to alcoholism.
And over the recent years, numerous studies have been conducted that threw a positive light on wine, especially the red variety. Research has shown that moderate wine consumption has beneficial effects on heart health and diabetes management. It might also help fight obesity and diseases of the nervous system. You will see a ton of this research in this post. Just keep reading.
Before we proceed any further, you need to know about the French paradox. This is the observation that the French have very low rates of heart disease, despite consuming large amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat (1). Certain experts believe that the regular consumption of red wine by the French could be a reason.
What is also important to consider is that studies have shown that saturated fat and cholesterol are not always so bad. When consumed in moderate amounts, they don’t cause any harm (2), (3).
Well, this does show red wine as an elixir for vitality and good health. We don’t know that yet, but what ingredients in red wine could make it so beneficial?
What Ingredients In Red Wine Make It So Beneficial?
Red wine is made from grapes, and grapes are rich in several antioxidants. Some of these include catechins, resveratrol, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins
Resveratrol, the antioxidant coming from grape skins, has anti-aging and heart-healthy benefits.
Flavonoids, especially the anthocyanins, that render the wine a rich red color, can have beneficial effects for overall health. And proanthocyanidins can reduce heart disease risk (5). These antioxidants also help combat free radical damage. Wines contain sugar too – which is something you need to consider.
Dry wine – 4 grams of sugar per liter
Medium dry wine – 4 to 12 grams of sugar per liter (0.5 to 2 grams per glass)
Sweet wine – 45 grams of sugar per liter (6 grams per glass)
Red wine could be available in all these types, and if possible, try to go for the dry variety.