The Wine Test
summery
How can you get the mximum health benefits from drinking red wine?
It’s an accepted fact that small amounts of alcohol are beneficial to our health, but some scientists claim that one alcohol in particular is better than all the rest.
A western diet of fatty foods is damaging to health, but there’s an interesting phenomenon underfoot across the Channel called the ‘French paradox’. The French eat lots of fatty foods but have very low rates of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Why is this?
"an active role in limiting the hardening of the arteries"
A traditional French diet can be high in fat, yet the French have one of the lowest rates of heart disease in the world. Many researchers put this down to the high consumption of red wine, five times that of the UK. So, what’s special about red wine?
Studies suggest that polyphenolic compounds in red wine may play an active role in limiting the hardening of the arteries which begins when blood vessels being to lose their ability to relax.
Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking and high blood pressure promote this detrimental process. But remarkably the alcohol and polyphenolic compounds found in red wine appear to favourably maintain healthy blood vessels. Research also shows that red wine may protect against cancer.
So what's the best way to enjoy wine without damaging your liver?
Watch the films in our interactive player and take a look at some Takeaway Tips on how to stay young and beautiful.
