Red wine has always been a popular drink, but is it really good for you? After all, it is high in antioxidants, which help protect your body from disease. Moreover, it may help lower your risk of cancer and heart disease, and promote a healthy gut bacteria.
Reduces risk of heart disease
It’s no secret that the best defense against cardiovascular disease is a healthy diet. You can reduce your risk by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Also, make sure you get some exercise. Research suggests that moderately vigorous physical activity five or more times a week can reduce your risk by up to 27%.
The CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention works with partners from across the health care sector to combat the nation’s most lethal diseases. From the best way to recognize and treat heart attack symptoms to programs that reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, the CDC’s got you covered.
The CDC also works with partners to address the other leading causes of death in the United States. This includes the top 5 killers: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. To help reduce the burden of these devastating conditions on the nation’s aging population, the CDC supports a range of programs.
A good health plan, diet, and lifestyle is the key to preventing cardiovascular disease from taking hold. That’s why the CDC is proud to partner with the American Heart Association to develop the most comprehensive health promotion and prevention programs on the planet. These include a new initiative to reduce the number of heart attack victims, as well as new strategies to prevent and control diabetes, obesity, and other preventable health problems. By using an Integrated Management approach, CDC’s programs aim to decrease the burden of disease for a wider population. With a focus on early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, CDC’s efforts are gaining steam.
In short, the CDC is here to help you lead a longer, healthier, and more productive life.
Promotes healthy gut bacteria
There are many things that influence healthy gut bacteria. Diet, stress, and antibiotics can all affect the balance of bacteria in your gut. It’s important to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods to maintain optimal gut health.
Several studies have shown that diets high in prebiotics can promote healthy gut bacteria. Prebiotics are fermentable fibre that help the beneficial bacteria in the gut to thrive. These include inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and beta glucans.
Research has also found that certain types of bacteria may prevent the growth of cancer. Researchers have begun to study the effects of gut bacteria on rheumatoid arthritis.
Besides promoting healthy gut bacteria, a diet containing prebiotics is helpful to maintaining a healthy immune system. They are also thought to help improve metabolism.
A study in mice showed that the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut increased with exercise. In addition to promoting overall wellness, the exercise also helped the animals fight off ulcerative colitis.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is thought to promote healthy gut bacteria. Fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of nutrients. Also, many vegetables are considered prebiotics.
Many whole grains are prebiotics, too. These include oats, quinoa, and sorghum. Another great source of soluble fibre is a bowl of oatmeal with berries and nut butter.
Yogurt is another source of good bacteria. It is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin B12, and proteins. If you want to get the most out of yogurt, try plain Greek-style.
Raw garlic is a great source of prebiotics. This tasty herb contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Garlic also helps to prevent the growth of disease-promoting bacteria.
Lowers risk of dementia
Studies have found that moderate wine consumption may help lower the risk of dementia. Wine is known to have antioxidant properties that fight free radicals. It is believed that antioxidants protect nerve cells from the oxidative damage that can lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Red wine is rich in polyphenols, compounds with anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds act together with the microbiota to fight off free radicals. This may be responsible for the wine’s neuroprotective quality.
Drinking wine is not recommended if you are already experiencing cognitive problems, however. Alcohol can also cause dependence. Therefore, it is best to discuss any decisions about alcohol consumption with your doctor. If you drink, make sure you enjoy it.
The study looked at self-reported data. Since this is vulnerable to measurement errors, the results are less reliable. However, it is important to note that the effects of moderate wine consumption were significant.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and UCLA in Los Angeles found that red wine can help reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes, is effective in increasing the activity of MAP kinase, an enzyme that is needed for the brain to function properly.
Similarly, a Danish study found that a moderate wine intake was associated with reduced dementia risk. Compared with non-drinkers, moderate drinkers had a 19 percent lower risk of developing dementia.
Other studies have shown that excessive drinking increases the risk of dementia. The risk is particularly elevated in women, who are more prone to developing the disease. Women can cut the risk by limiting their consumption to two or three drinks per day.
May reduce the risk of cancer
Red wine has long been considered healthy. It contains high concentrations of antioxidants that have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, the relationship between red wine and cancer is still under investigation.
A report published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention found that moderate red wine consumption is associated with lower rates of lung cancer in smokers. The findings are based on data from the California Men’s Health Study. These researchers found that men who drank at least one glass of red wine a day were 60% less likely to develop lung cancer than non-drinkers.
Other studies have also found that wine drinkers have a reduced risk of heart disease. This may be due to the presence of resveratrol, a chemical that has been found to help slow the growth of cancer cells.
The skin of grapes and grape seeds are rich in phytochemicals. In addition to resveratrol, these compounds are thought to have beneficial effects.
Another study found that women who drank red wine in moderation had a decreased risk of breast cancer. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that chemicals in red grapes increased testosterone levels in premenopausal women.
The skin of red and purple grapes contains more resveratrol than green grapes. White wine has no protective elements.
While studies are underway to determine the relationship between alcohol and cancer, there is enough evidence to suggest that drinking alcohol is related to many types of cancer. For those at risk, eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying active are recommended. Those who smoke should stop. If you have cancer or are taking medication, talk to your health care provider.
May reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation
Red wine may reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation, a type of heart irregularity. But it’s not clear if the benefits are actually due to the wine itself, or to healthier lifestyle choices.
The latest study on alcohol and AF used data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale research database. This database contains health information from half a million volunteers in the UK.
Among those studied, a high number of alcoholic drinks was associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. Two or more alcoholic drinks also correlated with a higher blood concentration. However, drinking moderately – defined as consuming no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women – was linked with a lower risk.
A new study has shown that abstinence from alcohol may also help to lessen the burden of atrial fibrillation. Researchers analyzed information on 107,845 people from five community-based studies. They were enrolled when they were between the ages of 25 and 74. When they were surveyed, they provided information on their employment, education, and drinking habits.
Atrial fibrillation is not usually life-threatening, but it can lead to strokes and heart failure. It is a risk factor for many other ailments, such as heart disease and diabetes. Those at highest risk include those with a family history of AF, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Using precision medicine, researchers have found ways to identify individuals at high risk for AF and alcohol-related AF.
In 2012, the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) published a study on the link between alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation. Researchers monitored the subjects’ cardiac rhythms for four weeks, and had blood samples checked to determine alcohol intake.
