It’s a subject that’s still being debated in our society. Is red wine healthy<\/strong>? There’s no doubt that alcohol is hazardous to your health<\/strong>, and studies conducted all over the world prove it. Harvard University<\/strong>, for example, conducted a 20-year study of participants who consumed red wine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n What if red wine, although alcoholic, had beneficial properties<\/strong> for our health? Why red wine<\/strong> and not white<\/strong> or ros\u00e9<\/strong>, for example? Here’s a closer look at moderate red wine consumption<\/strong> and its benefits for the body<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It was in the 60s and 70s<\/strong> that the British<\/strong> began to take an interest in red wine<\/strong> and its potential benefits for humans<\/strong>. It was then that the expression ‘French paradox’<\/strong> was coined.<\/p>\n While French gastronomy<\/strong> is renowned for being particularly rich<\/strong> (cream, butter, cheese, bread, etc.), cardiovascular disease<\/strong> is lower in France<\/strong> than in other countries. And yet, a rich, fatty diet should lead to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease<\/strong>! What if the French love for red wine<\/strong> is the answer to this mystery? Yes, compared to other countries, the French have been drinking red wine regularly for centuries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Alcohol abuse<\/strong> is bad for your health<\/strong>, we know! The polyphenols contained in red wine<\/strong>, however, are highly beneficial<\/strong> for a number of reasons. Grapes<\/strong>, the delicious berries on which wine is made, are rich in natural antioxidants<\/strong>. These antioxidants are present in the grape skin<\/strong>, as well as in the grape seeds<\/strong>. Called polyphenols<\/strong>, they come in several types, including catechin<\/strong>, epicatechin<\/strong>, proanthocyanidin<\/strong> and, above all, resveratrol<\/strong>. It’s this last polyphenol in particular that is said to give red wine all its virtues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If alcohol is dangerous for your health<\/strong>, but grapes have so many virtues<\/strong>, why not just drink grape juice<\/strong>? And why would red wine be beneficial and not white or ros\u00e9 wine<\/strong>? The answer lies in the winemaking process.<\/p>\n Unlike white or ros\u00e9 wine<\/strong>, during the red wine-making process<\/strong>, the juice from red grapes macerates<\/strong> for a considerable time with the skins and seeds<\/strong>. In this way, the grape juice<\/strong>, known as grape must<\/strong>, acquires all the properties contained in the solid parts.<\/p>\n White and ros\u00e9 wines<\/strong> are vinified differently. Once in the winery, the grapes are pressed directly<\/strong>, so the grape must<\/strong> is not in contact with the solid parts (skins and seeds). This explains why red grape juice<\/strong> (without alcohol) does not have the same virtues as wine. As with white and ros\u00e9 wines, to make grape juice<\/strong>, the berries are pressed directly<\/strong> and only the juice is retained. It does not macerate with the solid particles, rich in antioxidants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The beneficial effects of polyphenols<\/strong> are numerous. In fact, moderate consumption<\/strong> of red wine<\/strong> regulates cholesterol levels<\/strong> by reducing bad cholesterol, known as LDL, and retaining good cholesterol, known as HDL. This has the effect of reducing heart disease<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the heart, polyphenols<\/strong> prevent undesirable coagulation<\/strong> by keeping blood vessels<\/strong> supple. Red wine<\/strong> therefore helps prevent the formation of blood clots.<\/p>\n The antibacterial nature of polyphenols<\/strong> helps treat stomach inflammation<\/strong> and other digestive disorders<\/strong>. They are particularly effective against Helicobacter pylori bacteria<\/strong>, which thrive in the stomach, reducing the risk of infection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In women in particular, resveratrol<\/strong>, one of the polyphenols found in grape skins and seeds<\/strong>, controls blood sugar levels and thus prevents the development of type 2 diabetes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For the approaching winter season<\/strong>, red wine<\/strong>, thanks to its many antioxidants<\/strong>, acts against the free radicals<\/strong> that have an impact on seasonal illnesses<\/strong> such as the common cold<\/strong>.<\/p>\nThe French paradox<\/h2>\n
Polyphenols contained in red wine<\/h2>\n
Vinification, the difference between grape juice and red wine<\/h3>\n
The effects of polyphenols<\/h2>\n
Regulation of cholesterol levels<\/h3>\n
Benefits for the heart<\/h3>\n
Antibacterials for digestive disorders<\/h3>\n
Resveratrol prevents diabetes<\/h3>\n
A glass of red wine against colds!<\/h3>\n
Preserve your memory with red wine<\/h3>\n