When choosing a healthful beverage, most people would probably opt for a V8 or a fruit smoothie. Health drinks are usually associated with juice, exercise and jogging. Yet in recent years, an increasing number of doctors have added wine to the list of healthful beverages. This isn’t to say that you should go for a tall glass of Merlot instead of grabbing Gatorade after a jog or orange juice in the morning, but wine has been found to have certain positive effects when drunk in moderation.
Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., director of the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study, has found that individuals who consume up to two drinks a day decrease their risk for stroke by up to 45 percent. Those who consume one drink or fewer a month increase their risk by up to 65 percent. People who consume up to four drinks per day are also at a lower risk for stroke, but those who drink five or more drinks per day increase their risk threefold. A drink was considered to be four ounces of red wine as compared to the U.S. government’s standard of 5 ounces. In addition, the effects of light drinking seem to be independent of race, gender or age.Researchers at Northwestern University have found at least one reason why red wine may be beneficial. This is the presence of an estrogen-like antioxidant called resveratrol. This substance, believed to reduce the risk of heart disease, is highly concentrated in grape skins and is abundant in red wine. According to the study, resveratrol displays anti-carcinogenic and anti-arteriosclerotic properties that are believed to play a role in the so-called “French Paradox.” That is, why the French have such low instances of heart disease despite so much fat present in the typical French diet. Some believe the answer to be red wine.
In an update to the 1991 “60 Minutes” feature titled the “French Paradox,” Morley Safer amended the original findings. He highlighted the results of this year’s Copenhagen City Heart Study, which he called “the most significant study to date on the relationship between health and alcohol.” The study found that moderate consumption of wine results in a lower mortality rate from all diseases. The program also addressed the pattern of alcohol consumption, stressing the benefits of daily mealtime consumption and the need for more balanced messages from American health agencies. This includes the University administration, which seems hell-bent on never having another student even think of consuming alcohol; maybe it should start watching “60 Minutes” more often.
These statistics might make you think the next time you go to the grocery store to buy your next health drink. To be sure, humans have been cognitive of the healthy effects of wine as far back as biblical times, even if not for scientific reasons. However, despite the benefits, over-consumption of alcohol is still dangerous and unhealthy. It can lead to heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and a variety of other health problems. In addition, as I have said in previous columns, consuming alcohol before driving a vehicle is not only dangerous, irresponsible and illegal, but it can also be fatal. Despite what anyone says, no one drives better under the influence. Anyone who says different is a moron waiting to get killed or arrested.