Health Benefits of Wine

While the health benefits of wine have not been proven once and for all, there's strong circumstantial evidence that they exist. While the belief in wine's health benefits goes back to antiquity in some parts of the world, the latest wave of support came in the early nineties. The crux of the argument is something called the French Paradox.

The French Paradox is this: the French eat more cheese, organ meats, and similar unhealthy foods than Americans. They also drink more wine than Americans. Somehow, though, the French are less likely to have heart disease than Americans. Studies have shown that moderate wine consumption correlates with fewer heart problems than either overconsumption or abstinence.

Currently, scientists are looking at two chemicals that are found in wine, especially red wines, that might be beneficial. Resveratrol is found in grape skins, especially those of Muscadine grapes. Resveratrol acts as an antifungal agent in the wild, but studies with animal subjects have shown potential anti-cancer and anti-aging effects, among others. Further study needs to be done to see if these benefits translate to humans. The other chemical is a class of flavenoid called procyardin, which studies have shown to have beneficial effects on the arteries.