Health Benefits of Wine - Dr. Jim Collins

My love of wine goes back many years, when I managed a group of geriatric psychiatrists who introduced me to a whole new world. That was almost half my life ago, and since that time I have studied, read about, collected and tasted wines from almost every wine-producing country. As a matter of fact, my passion for wine is so intense, that I became a Level 1 Sommelier. Considering my background as a gerontologist, my interest turned to the health benefits of wine, especially as we age. Here’s what I have discovered.

Health Benefits

The acids and alcohols in wine have the miraculous ability to inhibit or kill most of the pathogens that threaten human life. For hundreds, if not thousands of years, wine has been considered much safer to drink than the available water supply. We know that wine acts as a mild tranquilizer, it induces relaxation, and reduces anxiety and tension.

As a part of a normal diet, wine provides the body with energy, substances that aid in digestion, and with a small amount of minerals and vitamins. It can also stimulate the appetite. Wine also serves to restore nutritional balance and acts as a mild euphoric agent, especially to older adults and seniors.

The Framingham Heart Study

In the 1970s, the National Institute of Health (NIH) excluded and suppressed evidence from the Framingham Heart Study that concluded drinking wine in moderation can reduce coronary disease by 50% compared to non-wine drinkers. Why would they want to hide this evidence? Think “Big Pharma”.

The French Paradox

We know the French love their wine, and they do produce some of the greatest wines in the world, especially those from the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions. But, what kinds of foods do the French eat? The people of Southern France, for instance, dine on dishes made with lots of butter, cream and eggs. They routinely eat cheese, organ meats, and other fatty and cholesterol-laden foods. This diet should promote heart disease, but it has been discovered that the rate of heart disease in France is much lower than in the United States. That’s where the paradox lies. The French also consume the largest quantities of wine on Earth, reducing their risk of heart disease.

Moderation and Regularity are Important

Regular and moderate wine drinking has been associated with a number of health benefits, but on the other hand, heavy or binge drinking raises the risk of heart disease. Most Europeans generally drink wine and water with their meals, while Americans drink milk, iced tea, soft drinks and coffee.

Catechins and Flavonoids

Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be preventive against coronary disease as well as some forms of cancer. The chemicals thought to be responsible are called catechins and flavonoids. These are believed to function as antioxidants which prevent free radicals from causing cellular damage.

Other Compounds

Resveratrol and quercetin are also found in red wine, grapes, grape juice, dark beers and tea, but are absent in white wines and light beers. These substances have been shown in studies to boost the immune system, block cancer formation, and possibly protect against disease and even prolong life.

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology reports that resveratrol also inhibits formation of a protein that produces a condition called “cardio fibrosis”, which reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency when it is needed most, at times of stress. More evidence suggests that wine dilates the small blood vessels and helps to prevent angina and clotting.

Final Thoughts on Health Benefits of Wine

Wine has so many physical and emotional health benefits, I’d never be able to fit them all in one short article. Wine aids in digestion, reduces risk of kidney stones, protects against atherosclerosis, and may help us live longer. Wine may also lower the risk of lung cancer, prevent stroke, lower risk of diabetes, and reduce the risk of dementia. As I have stated many times, if you haven’t started drinking wine yet, it is never, ever, too late to start! Cheers!

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