For hundreds of years, wine has been promoted as a "cure all" for nearly every health ailment. Some of wine's health value has been proven through scientific study, while other effects are still unknown. So what is the current thinking on the health value of wine?

Recent studies have indeed shown that drinking moderate amounts of red wine does have both short and long term health benefits. This should not be surprising, since red wine is made from darker grapes which have been shown to have many health benefits.

Heart disease and some types of cancer can be prevented by drinking red wine. The dark grapes of red wine contain flavanoids which act as anti-coagulants and anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are important because they help counteract free radicals which are known to cause cellular damage.

Other studies suggest that red wine can raise HDL cholesterol (the 'good' kind) and discourage LDL (the 'bad' kind) from forming. Along with cholesterol regulation, most of the pathogens that threaten humans are inhibited or killed by the acids and ethanol in wine. Not surprising, then, that until the mid-18th century wine was safer than water for daily consumption in Western countries.

In areas where clean water is rare, the alcohol found in all types of wine may help kill off some harmful pathogens. Wine may also kill off bacteria in the stomach, both good and bad. While long term consumption of alcohol is a poor substitute for water, it may be the safest choice in short term situations of clean water scarcity and high infection rates.

It should be noted that alcohol doesn't metabolize as quickly as processed sugars. So drinking little bit of alcohol rather than consuming candy or soda may help some people avoid or delay diabetes. Regular, moderate alcohol consumption, however, is linked to increases in a wide variety of cancers. Of particular concern for women is the increased risk of breast cancer. Women who have history of breast cancer in their family should not consume alcoholic beverages.

Even though there are many documented health benefits of wine - there are risks too. Some wines contain sulfites which cause problems for some people. Wine is also high in sugars which can lead to weight and health risks. And then there is the alcohol - which always needs to be used in moderation.

Anyone with digestive tract disorders, liver disease or kidney problems - along with a slew of other ailments - would not be doing themselves any favors by drinking wine. Then there are the well known effects of excessive intake, such as hangovers and, in the long run, liver damage. And, pairing wine with drugs, even normally beneficial ones such as aspirin or acetaminophen, is a recipe for disaster, clearly.

So we are left with the fact that drinking wine has many health benefits, as it is made of grapes, and a mixed bag of health risks, as it contains alcohol. Educate yourself more fully about these facts.

Discover more about if red wine is good for the heart at www.Wine-Information.org. Stop by Sarah Omseo's website to read more free basic wine information.

Posted under Wine