Red wine may help protect the heart and brain from aging, stroke, and heart disease. Moderate consumption (1-2 glasses/day) of any alcoholic beverage increases HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and lowers blood pressure, both of which are good for the brain. Red wine also contains resveratrol and flavonoids that may provide additional benefits by protecting neurons from damage. Resveratrol increases heme oxygenase, an enzyme that protects neurons from free radical damage.
Caution: Attempting to “catch up” on missed days of drinking is likely to cause temporary but substantial cognitive impairment! The problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption quickly overwhelm the benefits.
5 Comments
What about white wine? Darn, I’m on a white streak now…
Hi Mie,
That’s a good question, and there’s some debate about whether red is actually any better. Popular belief is that red wine brings additional benefits due to more resveratrol and flavanoids in the grape skin. However, some research suggests that the grape pulp is just as good as the skin, making red and white about equally good. Since the advantage of red is not clear, I think you should keep up your streak if white is your preference.
Hi all,
Please be aware that Resveratrol is so minuscule in your everyday foods, that it get’s flushed out easily by your system.
Look for a supplement if you are serious about this. Please read this scientific study to understand why Resveratrol in wine or everyday foods will probably be to small for good health:
http://www.revgenetics.com/pdf/Bioavailability.pdf
Thanks Anthony Loera
http://www.RevGenetics.com
Thanks for the pdf, Anthony.
Please note that there is no evidence that resveratrol supplements provide any health benefit. In fact, the main takeaway message from the Walle paper is that supplements are unlikely to be effective. Though they are readily absorbed, 30 minutes after ingestion there is no trace of resveratrol in the blood.
According to the author of this paper, “It is therefore highly unlikely that resveratrol supplements can have any effect on cardiovascular disease or cancer” (quoted from: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=51583-scientists-question-power).
Because the safety of resveratrol supplements is unknown, neither Lumos Labs nor the US Government recommends using resveratrol supplements. Stick with a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, and if you already drink wine in moderation, keep up the good work!
Although red isnt as clear one government group lists white wine as 392 and red wine as 3873 and cabernet sauvignon as 5034. Bigger is better and 392 isnt much and less than raw celery. Some results from blood plasma are agreeing with the general test tube results for red wine. It is often suggested that grape juice is just as effective so it’s mostly about balancing the effects of sugar and alcohol. I was starting to notice that there are many subtle effects from alcohol consumption that are only gradually being quantified. Binge drinking is very popular here and so there are many examples of the slight changes in behaviour compared to people that dont drink. As brain health isnt directly related to social success and norms I think that more exact conclusions about the effects on the brain of such a powerful drug would be necessary before advising people to drink alcohol. Alcohol could be a bit like coffee slightly useful for some things but not for others and very dependant on the dose.
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