Red wine helps prevent certain types of cancer, mental decline and dementia, and it is associated with a longer and healthier life span. Conversely, red wine contains metals, it can damage the liver and is associated with increased incidence of breast cancer. With these conflicting claims and attributes- is red wine healthy or not?

1. Red wine is rich in antibody oxidants which protect the heart and the health of blood vessels. As opposed to white wine, red wine contains Phytochemicals like flavonoid compounds and Phenol, and in the process of the fermentation of the grape peel, these important materials become wine. Only red wine that effervesces with grape peels contain these important nutritional values.

2. The journal “Clinical Cancer Research” recently published a study about a chemical called resveratrol. The study indicates that resveratrol, an antioxidant contained in red wine, can delay the growth of different types of malignant tumors and even eliminate them without damaging neighboring blood cells. The study also found that the chemical increased the potency of the medications combating the cancer cells. The report stressed that resveratrol is not effective for all types of cancer, including breast cancer. These findings reinforce another study that was published in the prestigious magazine “Science”, that found that resveratrol’s effect on the body is similar to that of chemotherapy.

3. Red wine and white wine differ in their acetic component. In contrast to white wine, red wine contains a component that is called Tannin, which aids its’ aging and taste. Because the tannin is produced from grape peels, white wine does not have that component. White wine however does have a high level of the acidity which is a known to cause heartburn. While all alcoholic beverages can cause heartburn, the high level of acidity of white wine are more likely to cause these symptoms. Therefore, if you tend to suffer from heartburn but are set on drinking white wine, it is advisable to take pills which can prevent heartburn.

4.  A study conducted by Laval University in Canada, demonstrated that drinking red wine can prevent injuries to your gums, since the compound polyphenols blocks the production of harmful radicals that can cause damage to the gums. Likewise, drinking red wine can protect your brain and kidneys from excess remainder radicals which lack oxygen, which often results from consuming a high cholesterol diet.

5. A recent British study contradicts conventional wisdom that drinking wine during pregnancy can cause injury to the fetus. The study claims that drinking one glass of wine a week can be beneficial to pregnant women.  It claimed that children born to mothers who consumed a weekly glass of wine were less likely to display behavioral disturbances, attention deficiency disturbances and were at lower risk from exhibiting social adjustment difficulties compared to babies whose mothers who avoided wine during pregnancy.

6.  A new study that was published in the magazine “Journal Plus One” found that resveratrol found in red grapes increases life expectancy. Resveratrol is a biological antioxidant that belongs to the enzyme sirtuins, which investigators found is directly associated with delay the aging process.

7. A study based on research conducted at the Krolinska Institute in Stockholm, found that moderate drinking of wine may prevent people from experiencing a repeat heart attack. The study shows that those who abstain from wine have a 20% higher chance of having a second heart attack or stroke as opposed to those who drink moderately.

8. A study by British scientists at the University of Kingston published in “Chemistry Central Journal”, revealed dangerous levels of metal in red wine produced in France, Germany, Austria and Portugal.  These metal levels could lead to Parkinson’s disease and other neurological problems and chronic inflammations.

9. Studies by American researchers who examined more than 184,000 women found that drinking  one glass of wine a day can increase the risk of breast cancer by 32%. Drinking three or more glasses a day increases the risk by 51%.  Researchers claim that these findings were consistent for all types of alcoholic beverages. The results of the study strengthen the conjecture that alcohol affects the activity of the Estrogen hormone. In spite of these worrisome findings, researchers mentioned that it is too early to publish guidelines for alcohol consumption, but women should consult with their doctors in order to determine their risk of breast cancer.

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