Resveratrol - The Antioxidant Powerhouse!
Unleashing the Benefits of Red Wine
Just in time to share the good news with you all with
several wine shows taking place in the upcoming days, weeks and months!
We all want to live a healthy lifestyle, but having a
good time while doing it sometimes seems a little difficult to achieve. Well,
with everything, with a fine balance you can achieve optimal good health and longevity and we can indulge
a little while we do it.
Heard It Through The Grapevine?
You may well have heard it through the grape vine! Many studies have shown that resveratrol
can prevent or delay the onset of cancer, cardiovascular disease,
neurological and brain disorders, diabetes, and viral infection. It may also
have the potential to help us live longer, making it a prominent subject in
aging and longevity research. The health benefits of red wine have been established through
a large body of scientific research. Resveratrol found primarily in red
grapes and red wine is also found in peanuts, some berries, dark chocolate and
other cocoa products. In grapes, resveratrol is found mainly in the skins. Red
wine contains more resveratrol because the grapes are fermented with the skins
longer than for white wine. Red wine contains ten to twenty times more resveratrol
than white wine. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, meaning it is part of a
plant’s defense arsenal. Grapevines and other plants that produce resveratrol
do so because they are stressed when fighting enemies, such as cold or other
weather extremes, drought, fungal attack, and injury. These plants generate resveratrol
to aid their very chances of survival. It is now known that this
natural substance that protects plants can protect us as well.
Go Organic – All Wines are Not Created Equal
Great variations are found when the resveratrol content of red wines is compared. Drink wine that has been produced in
an organic style. Grapevines that are not protected by commercial chemicals
must protect themselves. Unprotected grapes are likely to produce much greater
amounts of resveratrol ultimately resulting in higher levels in organic
wines as well. Savour your wine slowly, allowing it to linger in your mouth
before swallowing. Some researchers propose that the mouth’s mucous membranes
can absorb more resveratrol than the gut, resulting in far greater blood levels
of resveratrol.
Bear in mind that alcohol can be a double-edged sword, especially when
used in excess. So moderation in drinking is key!
Find Flavonol-Rich Chocolate – The Darker the
Better
Natural cocoa, a source of resveratrol, has been
cited as the highest source of antioxidants. Many experts agree that dark
chocolate containing at least 70 percent cocoa content and no milk offers
considerable health benefits.
The health benefits of green tea, which is rich in
catechins, are similar to those of resveratrol and red wine. Green tea
is a strong antioxidant with anti-aging effects. It also interferes with cancer
development and growth. In terms of heart health, it reduces clotting and high
blood pressure leading to fewer heart attacks. In addition, green tea can
accelerate weight loss. Benefits from green tea are optimal when you drink
three to ten cups daily, which is common in some cultures. To boost the
benefits of drinking green tea, squeeze in a little lemon juice, which will
enhance your ability to absorb the tea’s beneficial catechins.
Extracts from publication “Resveratrol” written by Beth
Geisler ISBN 978-1-57067-242-2
