It tastes good. It makes you feel good. But is it good for you?
Red and purple coloured fruit and vegetables contain a high amount of antioxidant. Antioxidants remove unwanted toxic cells from the body known as free radicals. Free radicals can damage healthy cells leading to inflammation and disease.
Red and purple grapes are well known for their antioxidant constituents. They also contain resveratrol which is believed to have a positive impact on blood fats so may help with weight loss. The anti-inflammatory aspects of resveratrol promote brain health, and have been seen to reduce blood pressure and strengthen the heart.
It’s the skin of the purple grape that gives it these superpowers, and these are just two of many.
Memories of dining alfresco in the hills of Tuscany are none too pleasing. It’s true that adopting a Mediterranean lifestyle can be beneficial to health because it includes an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, small amounts of protein, with a moderate in-take of wine. The Mediterranean lifestyle has a minimal rate of heart disease and well-documented longevity.
But we are talking about alcohol.
Alcohol has a high pH level causing acidity in the body. Too much acid can lead to inflammation creating ailments such as joint pain and arthritis. Alcohol can cause a dysbiosis in the gut creating digestive upsets and bloating.
There are many good vintners now producing organic and biodynamic wines. This ensures the grapes have been grown in clean fertile soil and the produce has not been sprayed with pesticides. Most wines still contain preservatives, which can be the culprit for allergy related issues when consuming wine.
So should you drink red wine? Like most things, moderation is a good thing so a little red wine can be ok and may be beneficial. Your body is unique to how it feels when you consume a stimulant. Be aware of signs of allergy or inflammation and use your good judgement and drink responsibly.
Choose wisely. Live vibrantly.
Photo by Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash
