Health and Research
There is an abundance of information to cover almost all health
and medical issues. I have put together some of the more common
points. I do say that you should always consult your Doctor or
medical practitioner with regards to any concerns you may have.
The information below are extracts from medical journals and research
data published on the internet.
BBC, UK
Alcohol free wine 'just as healthy'.
"Red wine may be just as good for you without the alcohol", says
a report from the BBC News site. It goes on to say that "removing the
alcohol content of red wine does not reduce its health-giving properties, suggest
experts. In fact, the alcohol may actually shorten the benefits. The study,
published in the Amercian Journal of Clinical Nutrition, measured the amount
of substances called catechins in blood plasma. These are thought to reduce
the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Volunteers were given either two glasses
of normal red wine, and samples from which the alcohol had been removed. They
found no significant differences in the levels of catechins between alcohol
drinkers and non-alcoholic counterparts. And concentrations of catechins in
plasma dropped more swiftly if alcohol was consumed.".
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The French Paradox
Research has shown that wine is reducing the incidence of coronary
heart disease. For many years now, doctors couldn't figure out
why cream-loving French weren't dying as frequently from heart
attacks. Wine, it turns out, was the significant factor. Today
this factor is now commonly referred to as the "French
Paradox".
What is wine doing? The wine is altering the blood lipid levels.
It lowers the total cholesterol count, and raises the high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) levels. In simple term, it keeps the blood vessels
clean. In fact, the polyphenols keeps the arteries clear.
Studies are now showing how wine helps prevent ulcers. Scientists
tested for the presence of helico bacterpylori, which
causes ulcer infections. Compared to non-drinkers, those who had
one glass of wine a day had 7% fewer of these bacteria. Those who
drink two glasses a day had 18%, and those who drank 3 or more
glasses had 1/3 fewer bacteria.
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Polyphenols in red wine help fight heart
disease
For a good many years it has been known that red wine helps keep
arteries clean. The question has always been, how? Was it the antioxidants
in the red wine? New research points to the polyphenols which come
from the skins of red grapes.
Polyphenols in general are found to lower total cholesterol, and
also improve the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol. They lower blood
pressure, lessen risks of cancer, stimulate the immune system,
and have anti-bacterial properties.
Researchers tested red, rose, white wine, and grape juice on Endothelin-1
- the substance that causes arteries to constrict. Overproduction
of Endothelin-1 is what causes arteries to harden and clog up.
The tests showed that the decrease in Endothelin-1 was proportional
to the amount of polyphenols in the wine or juice.
They found that Grape Juice only had a lesser level of effect.
It was the red wine, which was the true winner.
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What does alcohol do during Pregnancy?
According to research "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a series
of mental and physical birth defects that can include mental retardation,
growth deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction, craniofacial
abnormalities and behavioural maladjustments".
"Alcohol is now recognised as the most common major destructive environmental
agent to which a fetus is likely to be exposed. It is directly responsible
for 10-20% of mental deficiency with IQ's in the 50-80 range, and one in six
cases of cerebral palsy."
Luckily, they also say that FAS and FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects)
are 100% preventable when a pregnant woman abstains from alcohol.
This, of course includes alcohol wine.
The NOFAS organization, geared towards spreading the word about
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, explains what the danger is. According
to them, "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a series of mental and
physical birth defects that can include mental retardation, growth
deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction, craniofacial
abnormalities and behavioral maladjustments".
Dr. Greene, a physician who maintains a set of web pages, concurs.
According to him, "alcohol is now recognized as the most common
major destructive environmental agent to which a fetus is likely
to be exposed. It is directly responsible for 10-20% of mental
deficiency with IQ's in the 50-80 range, and one in six cases of
cerebral palsy."
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Breastfeeding
OK, the mother has gone through 9 months of carrying the child,
and numerous days of labor and post-labor recovery. Now can
she have some wine?
The jury is still out on alcohol and breastfeeding.
According to La Leche, one of the premiere groups when it comes
to breastfeeding information:
"Alcohol peaks 30-60 minutes after consumption, 60-90 minutes when taken
with food. Alcohol passes freely out of a mother's milk and her system. It
takes a 55Kg woman about two to three hours to eliminate from her body the
alcohol in one serving of beer or wine. However, the more alcohol that is consumed,
the longer it takes for it to be eliminated. It takes up to 13 hours for a
55Kg woman to eliminate the alcohol from one high-alcohol drink. The effects
of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the
mother consumes."
"It is true that alcohol passes into the mother's breast milk, but an
occasional drink will have little effect on a nursing infant, according to
the American Academy of Paediatrics. However, ingesting larger amounts of alcohol
can affect breast milk and make an infant sleepy or drowsy."
"If a breastfeeding mother does drink alcohol, she should limit her intake
to one glass of wine, beer, or liquor a day, and wait at least two hours before
nursing. Keep in mind that women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy,
because no safe amount has been determined as of yet."
So the basic line is - Don't drink at all during pregnancy.
It's simply too dangerous. Drink if you must during labour, and drink sparingly
if at all during breastfeeding, being sure to give yourself enough time after
drinking to clear your system before your baby nurses. The care you take
during this year or two of your own life can have irrefutable beneficial consequence
for the entire life
of your child!
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Wine and Cancer
Wine contains resveratrol which helps suppress cancer. The
red grapes that go into red wine also have bioflavonoids,
which are antioxidants and help prevent cancer to begin. Third,
as a stress fighter, wine is also shown to help cancer patients
by relaxing them and helping them fight their disease.
Researchers have found that those who drink 1-3 glasses a day regularly
are healthier than those who drink none, and also than those who
drink more. Even hangovers aren't really from the alcohol - they're
from the impurities that are in the beverage.
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“I ENJOY DRINKING ALCOHOL. CAN IT FIT INTO
A HEALTHY DIET?"
by Lyssie Lakatos, RD, LD, CDN and Tammy Lakatos, RD, LD, CDN
All foods can fit into a healthy eating plan as long as they are consumed in
moderation. Alcohol, also, is safe in moderation for most people. Alcohol
is not safe for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, as
well as children and teenagers.
How much alcohol is considered “moderation?”
One drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink is
equivalent to 330ml of regular beer, 148ml of wine.
Is alcohol good or bad for you? I’ve heard they are both.
When you drink alcohol in moderation, it may have some beneficial effects
on your health. Studies show that in these modest amounts, it may reduce
the risk of heart disease. Red wine, in particular, has received a lot
of attention due to its’ phytochemicals (special plant nutrients), that
may protect the heart. However, for those who do not drink alcohol,
we do not suggest that you start. The best way to fight heart disease is
to eat a diet that is low in fat, high in fiber and to exercise, while also not
smoking.
Drinking more than the recommended amounts can be detrimental to your
health.
Actually, it can lead to many health problems such as high blood pressure and
strokes. And heavy drinking can cause damage to the liver, brain, heart
and pancreas, and may increase the risk for cancers.
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