It appears to be a popular theory among researchers and doctors that an occasional glass of red wine is actually good for you. The problem is, most doctors are reluctant to encourage the consumption of alcohol, including red wine, because of the obvious ethical issues involved.
There is one school of thought that believes that by suggesting wine is healthy is, in fact, promoting or condoning alcoholism. It is my opinion that this is a bit extreme. Alcoholics know they are alcoholics and any excuse to drink is simply that, an excuse. For the rest of us, a glass of red wine in the evening may indeed be healthy.
The substances in red wine that are believed to promote good health are flavonoid and nonflavonoid antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to promote good health by reducing or eliminating free radicals in our bodies. Just how free radicals interact on a cellular level is a complex process that really isn’t fully understood.
What is understood is that they are a disease causing substance and in order to maintain good health they should be counteracted. Antioxidants are nature’s way of fighting free radicals. Science contends that red wine is rich in antioxidants, so the theory is that a glass or two now and then is actually good for us.
Red wine, in moderation, is thought to be good for the heart. It is believed that Resveratrol, a nonflavonoid antioxidant in the wine helps to clear the arteries of plaque, thus reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Then again, a glass of red wine (or any wine) might just help you relax after a stressful day. That alone is enough of a heath benefit for me. Cheers!