It’s been a long day – my toddler is one temper tantrum away from spending the next six years in a time out, and if the economy doesn’t improve, I won’t have much else to do but sit there with him – so a nice glass (or two) of crisp red wine sounds like a stellar idea to me … and my doctor.
Most experts agree that low to moderate drinking – not those collegiate “booze til you barf” antics – appears to reduce many causes of mortality. Reports of red wine’s “full-bodied” health benefits have poured through the scientific community for the last two centuries. However, with everyone from Oprah to Dr. Oz raving about the benefits of resveratrol – a polyphenol (antioxidant) found in red wine – your bottle of Burgundy is back in the spotlight.
Experts suggest that the breadth of benefits is remarkable – cancer prevention, protection of the heart and brain from damage, reducing age-related diseases such as inflammation, reversing diabetes and obesity, and many more. Researchers theorize that resveratrol has the ability to regulate the production of cellular compounds by the nucleus, thus helping to stabilize cell structure.
A mini-review of recent findings on resveratrol will be published in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
Key points of the review include:
- Resveratrol exhibits therapeutic potential for cancer chemoprevention as well as cardioprotection.
- Resveratrol may aid in the prevention of age-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Low doses of resveratrol improve cell survival as a mechanism of cardio- and neuro-protection, while high doses increase cell death.
Interestingly, the gut or liver largely inactivates resveratrol before it reaches the blood stream. However, absorption via the mucous membranes in the mouth can result in up to 100 times the blood levels, if done slowly rather than simply skulling it down.
My father always likes to remind me of a famous Shakespearean quotation – “Better to be thought of a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.” So instead of gulping down your glass of red, try savoring your sip. The added benefits – resisting the urge to say something stupid and absorbing more resveratrol, which could be better for your health (emotional and physical).
Of course, there’s always been a debate between those that tout the benefits of alcohol and those that eschew them, the booze bingers and the tea-totalers, the haves, and the have-shots. However, one thing’s for sure – if you do indulge, be sure to drink in moderation!
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