How does red wine affect the body: the benefits and harms of the drink. Wine - the harm and benefits of drinking a natural drink

Scientists are putting an end to the age-old debate about the benefits of red wine. Moderate consumption of this drink brings more benefit to the body than harm, writes Alexey Bondarev in issue 30 of the magazine. Correspondent dated August 2, 2013.

The French are one of the most patriotic nations in the world. No one defends their culture and traditions so fiercely from the invasion of globalism. And the French also defend the custom of accompanying every serious meal with a glass of wine quite fiercely. And there is something to protect against: doctors and nutritionists from different countries have been attacking for decades any attempt to prove that moderate alcohol consumption is not at all a hindrance to good health.

Now any patriot of the tricolor flag and the Marseillaise has a serious argument - a real shield with which to repel the attacks of skeptics who do not recognize the benefits of alcohol. The results of the largest study, which was conducted for almost 30 years by scientists from the Universities of Paris and Bordeaux, have been summed up. They observed 35 thousand men aged 40 to 65 years and came to the conclusion that the healthiest of them were those who drank wine in moderation.

This is the first major and authoritative study proving that the notorious French paradox is a reality, and not a fairy tale from the field of national color. In the middle of the last century, this term was used to describe the hypothetical positive effect that red wine produces, mitigating the harm caused to health by high-calorie and fatty foods.

Experts have noticed that the French suffer from a number of age-related diseases (cardiovascular system, digestive tract, etc.) less often than other Europeans.

Experts have noticed that the French suffer from a number of age-related diseases (cardiovascular system, digestive tract, etc.) less often than other Europeans. And this despite the fact that French cuisine cannot be considered a model of dietetics. It includes quite a lot of fatty and fried foods, as well as sweets.

Scientists began to look for the roots of this paradox. However, the search was short-lived, since the only plausible explanation could only be the French passion for red wine, which contains an abundance of the substance resveratrol, which is credited with a beneficial effect on health.

Since then, for several decades, red wine has been one of the most frequently discussed topics in medicine. Perhaps only coffee is discussed just as furiously, says American physician David Hanneman, but in terms of the number of studies, wine is still the leader.

According to Hanneman, the research results can be divided into three groups. The first sing the benefits of wine. The latter say that there is some benefit, but it is insignificant. Still others argue that any alcohol is harmful in principle.

Every few years the pendulum swings in favor of one thesis or another. However, never before have such serious arguments been thrown into the balance as data from studies in which tens of thousands of people took part, Hanneman notes. Now it will be more difficult for opponents of alcohol to prove their case.

French paradox

Experts from the Universities of Paris and Bordeaux claim that their work proves that moderate consumption of wine reduces the likelihood of premature death from cardiovascular diseases by 40%, and from cancer by 20%.

“A glass of wine a day eliminates the need to visit the doctor,” the study authors paraphrase a well-known American saying.

The French experiment, which lasted 28 years, shows that ingesting small amounts of red wine has a positive effect on most people, says Craina Stockley, who works at the Australian Institute of Wine Research.

We are talking not only about diseases of the cardiovascular system, but also about reducing the risk of diabetes, dementia and many other diseases that can significantly reduce life expectancy.

Moderate intake over regular periods of time, albeit not every day, but within a week can be considered sufficient

“Drinking wine in moderation is key to good health,” says Stockley.

According to the expert, the data from the French study is the last straw in the cup of evidence for the benefits of wine.

“Moderate intake over regular periods of time, even if not every day, but over the course of a week can be considered sufficient,” Stokely answers the question of how much wine you need to drink in order to feel its effects.

At the same time, wine in large doses immediately leads to the opposite effect, Stokely hastens to emphasize. There is one more caveat: the study results apply only to adults; in adolescents, regular drinking can negatively affect the formation of the brain.

It is also worth considering that drinking wine, even in small doses, can have a negative impact on the health of people already suffering from some serious illness and taking medications. However, having made all these reservations, scientists are immediately ready to rush headlong into the pool of enthusiasm about the benefits of wine.

“The point here is not that regular consumption of wine prevents any specific diseases,” explains Stockley, “but that it has a positive effect on a person’s diet and lifestyle.”

Time to throw stones

However, researchers also have progress regarding the benefits of wine for the prevention of specific diseases. An equally large-scale study conducted by American scientists from Boston University together with their colleagues from the University of Rome shows that small amounts of red wine reduce the risk of kidney stones, and also help effectively fight them if they do form. Therefore, red wine is the exact opposite of sugary carbonated drinks that promote kidney stones.

The study, which lasted eight years, included observation of 200 thousand volunteers who reported to doctors what they drank during the day and gave them their medical indicators. Thus, the authors of the experiment were able to compare certain drinks with the health status of their patients.

Those who drink sugary drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are 33% more likely to develop kidney stones than those who regularly drink red wine.

It was found that those who prefer sugary drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are 33% more likely to develop kidney stones than those who regularly drink red wine. Among other drinks that reduce the risk of kidney problems, scientists noted beer, coffee, tea and orange juice. However, none of them can compare to the effectiveness of red wine.

“It's all about oxolates, chemicals that are a common cause of kidney stones,” explains Gary Curhan of Boston University, one of the study's authors. According to him, regular moderate consumption of wine leads to the removal of oxolates from the body, and not to their accumulation in the kidneys. This is likely due to fructose in wines, although this remains to be determined with new research.

Miracle component

Searches for explanations of the beneficial properties of wine often come across a long list of its components. Among them, fructose, organic acids, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc are usually distinguished. And, of course, vitamins B1, B2, C (all this applies to a greater extent to red wine and mainly dry varieties). However, in recent years, researchers have paid more attention to its other component - resveratrol, which is gradually becoming one of the most noisy subjects of controversy in modern science.

Red wine contains an average of 0.2-5.0 mg/l of resveratrol (in white its content is much lower). Once in the body of living beings, resveratrol has antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects, lowers blood sugar levels.

While active dietary supplements containing resveratrol have begun to appear on the market, some scientists praise the substance, while others argue that it is useless. Over the past two years alone, the number of large-scale studies aimed at determining how positively this substance affects health and whether it can prolong life amounts to several dozen.

Once in the body of living beings, resveratrol has antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects, lowers blood sugar levels.

In 2012, American doctors from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that regular consumption of dry red wine can prevent hearing loss in older people. Naturally, thanks to resveratrol.

Norwegian scientists from the University of Trondheim have published the results of their work indicating that resveratrol can weaken appetite, which means that people who regularly drink red wine in moderate doses are less likely to overeat, and therefore to problems with the digestive tract and obesity .

Their Dutch colleagues took the idea further: the results of their recent experiments indicate the benefits of resveratrol for digestion. Moreover, the benefits are very tangible - so much so that scientists boldly state in conclusion: “One glass of red wine a day prolongs life by an average of five years.”

Canadian pharmacist David Sinclair concluded that resveratrol has a positive effect on the functioning of mitochondria - the parts of cells responsible for storing energy.

But what made the most noise was a study by New Zealand scientists from the University of Otago. On the one hand, their work showed that resveratrol has a number of beneficial properties, on the other hand, they learned that drinking red wine does not affect longevity.

The controversial substance has a beneficial effect on lower forms of life, experts say, but not on people. The authors of the work tested the effects of resveratrol on six species of living organisms. Various fungi that were supplemented with resveratrol actually lived longer. However, this effect was no longer observed in fruit flies and mice. Now preparations are underway for experiments with people, scientists say.

A question of propaganda

The new research has plenty of critics. As a rule, they argue that the benefits of drinking alcohol in so-called moderate doses are outweighed by significant risks.

Conversations about the benefits of alcohol, be it wine or other drinks, invariably lead to the threat of whitewashing the image of alcohol in the public consciousness, says Mike Daub, a professor at Curtin University in Sydney, Australia.

In fact, Daub believes, alcohol poses a serious threat in both the short and long term - both medically and socially.

Daub calls any publications about the benefits of alcohol based on various studies PR campaigns of the alcohol lobby. Daub does not directly accuse anyone, but says that in many cases, supporters of “scientific” evidence of the benefits of alcohol are directly related to the alcohol industry.

Today there is a tendency to consider the level of health benefits of alcohol to be zero, similar to what is the case with nicotine.

The head of the Federation of Australian Winemakers, Paul Evans, meets such criticism with hostility.

“The trend today is to think of alcohol as having zero health benefits, much like nicotine,” says Evans. “But there is also a huge evidence base that drinking wine in moderation can be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.”

Wine in your diet should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle, but not as a major part of it, like the food you eat or the exercise you do at the gym, Stockley emphasizes. And wine should not replace either one or the other.

The cure for everything

Wine is fraught with many dangers, just like any other alcoholic beverage. However, the list of its advantages is huge. When used in moderation, it is a universal remedy.

Useful properties of wine

Permissible daily dose - no more than 50 g

Contains vitamins B2, B1, C, P, iron, potassium, magnesium, iodine, manganese
Resveratol present in wine has an antitumor effect
Protects cells from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and x-rays, which is useful for the prevention and treatment of cancer
Contains catechins, which have an antimicrobial effect and are useful for strengthening the immune system
Increases the level of high molecular weight lipoproteins in the blood, which remove low molecular weight cholesterol from the body, which serves as the prevention of atherosclerosis
Reduces the number of fat cells in the body, protects against metabolic disorders, in particular obesity
Polyphenols help regulate blood sugar levels, which helps avoid the onset and development of type 2 diabetes
Resveratol thins the blood and prevents platelet aggregation, helping to prevent thrombosis
Resveratol has an effect similar to that of the hormone estrogen, being a natural biostimulant, and is useful for the prevention of certain estrogen-dependent diseases, in particular osteoporosis
The high iron content in wine, as well as the property of the drink to promote the absorption of iron from food, are useful for anemia, vitamin deficiency, and significant blood loss
A small amount of diluted hot wine with spices is useful in the treatment of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis
For some types of intestinal disorders and poisoning, the astringent and antitoxic properties of wine will be useful
A little wine before bed thanks to the content of melatonin, a sleep hormone, helps with insomnia
Increases appetite and stimulates gall bladder secretion, promoting the digestion of heavy foods, especially fats
Contains substances that stimulate carbohydrate, nitrogen and mineral metabolism in the human body

Harmful properties of wine

Harmful daily dose - more than 50 g
Contains many allergens such as fruits, yeast, pollen, as well as histamines - compounds that cause hives, itchy skin, sneezing, bronchospasms and other allergy symptoms
Sulfur dioxide, used in winemaking to inhibit the growth of wine yeast, can cause asthma attacks in asthmatics.
Red wine polyphenols may cause migraine attacks in people prone to this disease
With frequent alcohol consumption, the enzymatic metabolism slows down and the toxic breakdown product of alcohol - acetaldehyde - accumulates in the liver, which over time can cause serious diseases, including cirrhosis
Wine should not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as alcohol entering the child’s body can cause irreversible damage to the cells of his brain and spinal cord.

Data from the Correspondent's information and reference service

This material was published in No. 30 of the Korrespondent magazine dated August 2, 2013. Reproduction of Korrespondent magazine publications in full is prohibited. The rules for using materials from the Korrespondent magazine published on the Korrespondent.net website can be found .

Wine is considered a refined low-alcohol drink. The French, Italians, Spaniards and Caucasians drink it almost every day.

Residents of these countries are convinced that wine has a beneficial effect on the body. After all, it not only helps you relax and relieve stress after a working day, but also relieves a number of diseases, and also prolongs youth.

But is drinking wine really good for you? And what do doctors, scientists and nutritionists say about this?

Wine Features

Wine is made from berries, fruits, water and sugar through fermentation. Grapes are often used to prepare a traditional drink. But at home, wine material can be pomegranate, cherry, apple. Mulberries, elderberries, rowan berries, currants and even sea buckthorn are also used.

Any natural wine contains minerals (phosphorus, iodine, manganese, rubidium), essential oils and vitamins (PP, B, C). These substances have a tonic effect on the body and lower blood pressure.

The strength of natural wines ranges from 9 to 16%, and fortified varieties - up to 22%. Based on the alcohol content, the type of drink is determined.

Thus, table wines can be sweet, semi-sweet, dry or semi-dry. Fortified varieties are divided into:

liqueur;
semi-dessert;
strong;
sweet;
dessert.

There are also sparkling (carbonated) and flavored wines.

Regardless of the type of drink, every person should know how much alcoholic liquid he can drink per day without harm to health.

The benefits of wine for the body

The drink owes its medicinal properties to its rich composition. It has a positive effect on the body due to the presence of vitamins, acids, fructose and microelements.

The wine has an astringent and antioxidant effect. Therefore, the red drink is used to treat intestinal diseases.

Wine alcohol contains melatonin (sleep hormone), which makes it an excellent remedy for insomnia. But all the healing effects will be noticeable if you drink only a natural drink and no more than 1/10 of a bottle at a time.

Experts are convinced that dry red wine is the healthiest for the body. Numerous studies have proven that this drink is valued for the following properties:

increases hemoglobin levels in the blood;
reduces the likelihood of cancer;
dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure;
removes toxins;
stimulates the immune system;
reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 40%;
slows down the aging process.
prevents the occurrence of oral diseases.

Other beneficial properties of wine are that it has antimicrobial and antiviral effects. The drink also reduces blood cholesterol levels. But experts assure that the maximum benefits of wine will be felt if you drink it with meals.

Wine is also beneficial because it contains resveratrol. This is a biologically active substance that is a strong natural antioxidant.

This component reduces the risk of cancer and has a rejuvenating effect. Resveratrol is also beneficial for the skin. It increases its tone, leads to the production of collagen and prevents the development of obesity.

White wine contains fewer nutrients than red wine. But it is lighter and the vitamins and antioxidants contained in it are well absorbed by the body. An amber grape drink has the same medicinal properties as red wine.

General beneficial properties of wine liquids include:

normalization of hormonal balance;
improvement of short-term memory;
increased vision;
prevention of colds and flu;
normalization of salt balance;
improvement of emotional state;
prevention of vitamin deficiency.

Since natural wines are very beneficial, a separate branch has even emerged in medicine – wine therapy. According to the therapeutic method, the intoxicating drink can be used as a cure for many diseases and as a cosmetic product.

Therefore, to increase elasticity, rejuvenation and smoothness of the skin, women take baths, masks and massages using wine alcohol.

Is homemade wine healthy?

Many consider the young, low-alcohol grape drink, which was prepared at home, to be particularly medicinal. In fact, the beneficial properties of wine depend on the production technology and wine material.

But often homemade products are poorly cleaned, which is why they contain fusel oils. These are toxic substances formed during the fermentation process.

However, homemade wines are still useful. For example, an alcoholic drink that contains an apple stimulates digestion, promotes weight loss and improves vascular and heart function.

Wines made from blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries are rich in iron. They increase hemoglobin levels and have a tonic effect on the body.

Wine made from chokeberry, currant or cherry strengthens blood vessels, making them less fragile.

Also, all homemade low-alcohol drinks stimulate the immune system and increase the body’s resistance to various infections.

Harmful properties of wine

Any type of wine contains alcohol, which is poisonous to the body. If a person drinks more than 50 ml of the drink, intoxication will occur.

Red wine, especially sweet wine, will contribute to weight gain. After all, 125 ml of the product contains 80 calories.

White types of the drink are also harmful, since they contain much more sugar and acids than red varieties. If you abuse this wine, tooth enamel deteriorates, caries and other oral diseases develop.

The harm of wine made from white grape varieties lies in its negative effect on the kidneys, liver and stomach. People who regularly drink this drink often experience mental and nervous disorders.

Is wine without sugar harmful? Dry types of the drink, although not dangerous for the figure, can be harmful in a number of diseases.

In general, abuse of any type of wine product can be dangerous for the human body. Alcohol is known to be bad for the liver. Under the influence of alcohol, the organ begins to produce enzymes to metabolize ethanol.

The liver has to cope with a large amount of carbohydrates, because wine contains a lot of glucose. Alcohol also affects the pancreas. Therefore, a person who regularly drinks wine increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Alcohol destroys liver hepatocides, which can result in a number of diseases:

cirrhosis;
hepatomegaly;
hepatitis;
dystrophy.

When consuming wine products every day, the body gets used to alcohol and a person becomes dependent. Without including the drink in the daily diet, mood swings, depression, and even psychosis develop.

This is explained by the fact that under the influence of alcohol the nervous system is excited and the person experiences euphoria. But this effect is short-lived, the blood vessels dilate for a short time, and then side effects appear in the form of nausea, headache, malaise and drowsiness.

People who drink even one glass of wine every day have metabolic processes upset, and the beneficial elements that enter the body with food are poorly absorbed. All this leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence.

Since wine is a low-alcohol drink, a person who constantly drinks it eventually switches to stronger types of alcohol. Many people start drinking cognac, tinctures or vodka.

What is more harmful: wine or beer? If the grape drink is natural, then it will be much healthier than intoxicating liquid. After all, modern beer producers add a lot of harmful substances to it during the manufacturing process.

Doctors say that even systematic consumption of wine (1-2 times a week) harms the body. But side effects appear over time.

Excessive consumption of wine drinks leads to heart problems. Once alcohol enters the body, it increases blood pressure and increases heart rate.

Alcohol thickens the blood, and it cannot fully enter the small vessels of the organ. This is how hypoxia develops, and myocardial tissues die. The main consequences of the negative effects of alcohol on the heart:

arterial hypertension;
tachycardia;
weakening of the myocardium;
obesity of the heart muscle;
cardiomyopathy;
dystrophic changes in the organ;
arrhythmia.

Those who are thinking about the question: which is more harmful, vodka or wine, should know that both types of alcohol contain ethanol, which becomes toxic to the body.

But vodka has a much higher alcohol content, so its negative impact on human systems and organs will be faster and more significant.

How does wine affect male and female bodies?

Men have a higher metabolism than women. Consequently, alcohol affects the male body differently.

After drinking wine, even a timid man becomes cheerful, open and brave. This is due to the effect of alcohol on the brain, the receptors of which are switched off when intoxicated.

Many representatives of the fair sex consider wine to be a harmless and weak drink. The peculiarity of the female body is that it slowly breaks down alcohols and intoxication occurs much faster than in men.

Ethanol is harmful to women because it promotes tissue dehydration. As a result, the skin becomes sluggish and not elastic. Women recover quickly from wine, because their bodies have more fatty tissue than men.

Since alcohol slows down brain function, women have trouble sleeping after drinking a grape drink. During menstruation, wine increases blood pressure, which only increases bleeding.

Wine products increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. This is explained by the fact that the drink activates the production of estrogens, which lead to the appearance of cancer.

Cahors and other types of alcohol are especially dangerous for pregnant women and those who want to have children in the future. After all, alcohol negatively affects reproductive function.

Pregnant women who regularly consume alcohol increase the likelihood of miscarriage or the birth of a child with various pathologies. Ethanol can cross the placenta and harm the baby's health.

For whom wine is contraindicated?

There are a number of diseases that prohibit drinking wine in any quantity. The drink should not be consumed by allergy sufferers. It contains a lot of allergens - fermentation products, fruits and berries, pollen.

In addition to food allergies, wine alcohol is contraindicated for dysbacteriosis. It is especially undesirable to consume young varieties, which provoke “mast cells” containing histamine. Ethanol destroys cell membranes and releases biogenic amine.

When imidazolyl-2-ethylamine accumulates in the blood, it leads to inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and allergic reactions (dermatitis, urticaria). The substance is also dangerous for hypertension and migraines.

Doctors recommend that people with such contraindications replace wine with stronger drinks (gin, cognac products, vodka). But their quantity should not exceed 200 ml per day.

Drinking wine is prohibited for asthmatics, as it aggravates the course of the disease. Absolute contraindications to drinking wine products:

diabetes;
pregnancy;
gout;
hepatitis C;
chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
renal failure;
lactation period;
oncological diseases;
weakened immune system;
disturbances in liver function.

Can children drink wine? Oddly enough, many doctors advise giving a child a red drink if physical development is impaired and there is no appetite.

What do we know about dry white wine? That it has a golden color that is pleasant to the eye, and has a sour, astringent and unsweetened taste? And many people also know that it is usually served with fish, seafood and cheeses. Sometimes we don’t know the main thing about this drink - is it beneficial or harmful? What beneficial properties of dry white wine for the human body remain hidden to us, and who this noble drink is harmful to, we will now figure out.

Composition of dry white wine

The chemical composition of dry white wine differs from the composition of a red drink. At the same time, it is believed that red is healthier. It's all about the process of making the drink. Many people think that red wine is made from red grape varieties, and white wine is made exclusively from white grapes. However, it is not. Both red and white varieties of berries are used to make white wine. But to make a red drink, they use grapes along with their skins. And to prepare white wine, the skins of the grapes are removed in such a way that they come into minimal contact with the pulp, so that they do not transfer coloring substances to the pulp. After all, it is the skin that contains natural dyes; the flesh of the berry itself has a white tint. Therefore, red wine contains a little more useful substances, since some of them live in the skin and seeds.

The chemical composition of dry white wine, of course, also includes a number of useful components. The vitamin composition is mainly represented by substances from group B. Most of all it contains riboflavin, i.e., vitamin B2; 100 grams of the drink contains almost 1% of the daily value. Which, in general, is, of course, very little. The composition also contains vitamin PP, in other words, nicotinic acid. Our body needs this substance for the full functioning of most organs and systems.

The macroelement composition of dry white wine is richer in vitamins. Here you can find potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and phosphorus. And among the microelements in the drink there is iron, manganese, zinc, copper. The drink also contains organic acids.

Dry white wine contains virtually no sugar, so the drink has a number of advantages over sweet, semi-sweet, and fortified “friends.” Dry white wine contains only about 4 grams of sugar per liter. During the fermentation process, almost all the sugar evaporates. As a rule, the strength of such wine should be no more than 11%.

In fact, dry white wine does not contain many useful substances, and the dosage of the “benefits” present is generally small.

The benefits of dry white wine

The drink is capable of disinfecting water because it destroys microbes and pathogens of typhoid and cholera. Previously, it was added to water to disinfect it. In the modern world, the drink is sometimes taken for intestinal poisoning.

By drinking dry white wine, we saturate our body with antioxidants; it is believed that these substances from white wine are absorbed by the body better than from red wine.

The benefit of dry white wine also lies in its ability to kill germs and bacteria, which is especially valuable during the cold season.

Fruit acids contained in the drink improve a person’s appetite and promote better digestion of food. However, the noble drink has an acidic environment. In order not to injure the stomach and activate digestion, you should drink dry white wine during lunch or dinner. But don't treat yourself to a drink on an empty stomach.

The potassium and magnesium contained in this aromatic liquid are essential for cardiovascular health. In this sense, the drink is considered useful - it helps strengthen blood vessels and improves blood composition. Since the drink also contains iron, it can be beneficial for people with anemia. However, you should not replace dry white wine with medications and proper nutrition.

The aromatic grape drink contains caffeic acid, which softens and removes mucus from the bronchi. For this reason, it can be useful for diseases of the bronchi and lungs. But again, they cannot replace medications. The drink should be consumed in minimal doses, and not measured in glasses.

The health benefits of dry white wine for people with kidney stones are known. It promotes their removal. It also helps the body remove salts from the joints, and is a preventative against gout.

When talking about the beneficial properties of the drink, we cannot mention the main thing. Due to the almost complete absence of sugar in dry white wine, it can be consumed by diabetics. But most alcoholic drinks are prohibited for this category of people because they contain a lot of sugar.

Dry white wine has an unusual beneficial property. A drink that does not contain many beneficial vitamins and minerals helps the body better absorb these substances that come from other foods. Therefore, dry white wine is considered as a healthy addition to a meal.

And yet, it is more logical to consider the benefits of white wine in comparison with other drinks. Is dry white wine healthy? Probably not. Is dry white wine healthier than semi-sweet wine? Definitely yes. Therefore, if there is a good reason to “skip a glass”, but there is no desire to cause severe damage to your health, give preference to a “dry” drink. But there is a “but” here too. The red dry grape drink is clearly healthier than its white counterpart. But dry white wine does not cause allergies, but a red alcoholic drink can do this.

But the benefits of the drink for gourmets can hardly be overestimated. Dry white wine helps to reveal the bright notes of fish dishes, cheeses and desserts. This noble drink will highlight the taste characteristics of exquisite dishes.

The benefits of dry white wine for women

It is known that alcohol has a detrimental effect on a person, especially the woman’s body. At the same time, it is dry white wine that is considered the most healthy alcoholic drink for the fair sex. Its excessive use can cause irreparable harm to the female body, including reproductive function, but tiny doses can even be beneficial.

Moderate consumption of dry white grape drink can rejuvenate the skin and make it more elastic.

This drink helps women cope with the negative effects of menopause. Drinking dry white wine will improve your mood.

Since dry white wine contains no sugars, it can be consumed by ladies who are watching their weight. The drink is even considered useful for weight loss. But let's not forget that the drink whets your appetite.

Women have probably learned to use almost all products for cosmetic purposes. They also “put into use” dry white wine, and use it to create a variety of masks and lotions for the skin.

The drink helps aging skin produce collagen, so it is included in homemade masks that help get rid of cellulite and smooth out wrinkles. Some women simply wipe their face with a cotton pad soaked in dry white wine. The wine product is also used as a lotion to treat skin diseases.

Drink harm to human health

This exquisite golden grape drink is primarily an alcoholic product containing ethyl alcohol, which is harmful to our body. No matter how much scientists from different countries repeat that drinking a glass of drink a day is good for your health, you need to remember that we are talking about absolutely healthy people. Perhaps their “experimental subjects” healed one organ, but at the same time received a negative effect on other internal organs and systems.

Dry white wine, like other alcoholic drinks, suppresses the human nervous system and can even cause depression. After the short-term euphoria obtained along with several glasses of wine, a hangover will most likely set in. Let us also remember that often female alcoholism begins with just a couple of glasses of wine a day “for health” and a good mood.

Any alcohol, including dry white wine, is harmful to a woman’s reproductive system. The female body does not fully recover after drinking alcohol. Men are luckier; their bodies are able to fully recover after consumption.

Breastfeeding and pregnant women are strictly prohibited from drinking the drink.

People with diseases of the digestive system should not drink “dry white”. Drinking the drink can lead to ulcers and gastritis.

Calorie content of dry white wine

The calorie content of dry white wine per 100 ml or 100 grams is approximately 70 units. This figure, by the way, is significantly less than.

The calorie content of a glass of dry white wine, which is approximately 150 ml, is about 105 units. Of course, specific numbers depend on the brand, name of the product, and, accordingly, on the method of preparation and composition. A bottle of dry white wine has approximately 700 calories.

To minimize the harmful effects of the drink on the body, if you plan to drink this wine “for health,” do not drink glasses of the drink every day. Doctors say that the portion of the drink should be no more than 50 ml per day. And if you prefer not to waste your time on trifles, and measure what you drink in glasses, do not drink more than two glasses twice a week. But even in this case, the main thing is not to cure yourself of alcoholism with white wine.

Of all the variety of alcoholic drinks that exist in nature, dry wine is the most popular among nutritionists. Residents of many southern European countries who cannot imagine dinner without a glass of light and refined dry wine also agree with nutritionists. Dry wine is divided into white and red. The combination of dry wine with certain dishes has been scientifically proven by Japanese scientists. The traditional use of dry white wine with fish dishes and dry red wine with meat dishes is not at all questioned.

Considering the components of a glass of red or white dry wine, we can say that it contains a large amount of proteins, calcium, sodium, magnesium, selenium, iron, zinc, copper and many other useful substances absolutely necessary for normal human life. Absolutely all dry wines contain biologically active substances, flavonoids, quercitin, reservatol, polyphenols and tannins. Polyphenols included in a glass of dry wine, regardless of whether it is red or white, have a unique ability to remove free radicals from the human body and rejuvenate it in a completely natural way.

Since ancient times, dry wine has been an excellent antiseptic, diuretic, and also a sedative of natural origin. Dry wine is widely used for medicinal purposes. In small doses, this drink supports the heart muscle, is a preventative against atherosclerosis, and effectively promotes and dilates blood vessels. With regular and moderate use of high-quality dry wine, blood vessels can be cleansed to a large extent.

It is recommended to use dry wine for indigestion. The tannins included in this drink perfectly contribute to the removal of a large number of toxins and wastes from the human body. Doctors strongly recommend drinking dry wine for anemia; two glasses of wine before meals or directly during meals will significantly improve the health of a sick person. Vitamin deficiency has long been treated by drinking dry wine. The microelements and vitamins it contains will help overcome this disease.

One of the advantages of dry wine is its unique ability to enhance the secretion of endocrine glands. Regular consumption of small amounts of dry wine provides important support for the body's protective properties. This positive effect of dry wine on the human body is especially evident in the autumn, when national holidays of young dry wine are held in many southern European countries. Perhaps the dry wine drunk during these festive celebrations and the extraordinary benefits of dry wine provide a unique opportunity for the residents of these blessed lands to survive, albeit a “mild” winter, without any loss to their health.

Numerous recent scientific studies have confirmed the amazing healing properties of dry wine, which make it possible to resist a variety of serious diseases, including cancer. Canadian scientists studying the properties of this drink claim that dry wine successfully treats caries, and the polyphenols contained in this drink significantly contribute to the strengthening of gums and the prevention of periodontal disease.

Cooks successfully use dry wine, including it in a variety of sauces and desserts. Cosmetology clinics offer rejuvenating baths filled with wine. This extraordinary natural drink constantly reveals new and unique abilities. It is only necessary to know when to stop when drinking dry wine.

There is still no consensus on what dry red wine brings to health: benefits and harm. The results of new scientific studies confirming both positions are regularly published around the world.

According to the results of anonymous surveys, most people believe that moderate consumption of dry red wine is beneficial. At the same time, men are more confident that wine is good for health than women. But there are also those who argue that wine is alcohol, which is harmful by default. Who is right?

Beneficial properties of dry red wine

The health benefits of red wine, as well as the harm, are determined by the substances that come from the grapes or formed during the manufacturing process.

In addition to water and alcohol, it contains many biologically active substances (tannins, flavonoids, catechins, etc.), macro- and microelements - about 600 chemical compounds in total.

The most interesting and useful components of this drink are polyphenols of natural origin:

catechins;

flavonoids;

resveratrol;

coumarins;

anthocyanins;

phenolic acids;

quinolines.

Tannins (tannins) are found in large quantities in red wines. They give the drink tartness and complexity of taste and have a number of beneficial properties. Tannins inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, remove toxins and heavy metal salts (mercury, lead, cadmium) from the body.

Catechins are strong antioxidants. They neutralize free radicals, protecting the human body from aging and cancer.

Flavonoids improve blood clotting and vascular condition, prevent the formation of blood clots and promote better absorption of vitamin C. In addition, they have antioxidant properties.

Resveratrol is a substance that has a number of positive health effects. It protects the body from cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, normalizes blood sugar and lipid levels, suppresses the proliferation of viruses, incl. herpes and influenza viruses. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. This substance can reduce appetite and reduce cravings for sweets, which is useful for women who want to lose weight.

Coumarins are natural anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting and the formation of blood clots. This property is especially useful for men, since deep vein thrombosis occurs more often in them than in women.

Anthocyanins are responsible for the red color of wine. They have a variety of beneficial effects on the body: activate metabolism, provide antioxidant protection, prevent the development of cataracts, promote collagen synthesis, normalize intraocular pressure, etc.

Macro- and microelements: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, rubidium. Potassium, one of the most important elements for our body, is found in wine in significant quantities. Magnesium and calcium are in this drink in an easily accessible form and are well absorbed in the small intestine. Some red wines are rich in iron, which has a positive effect on blood composition, increases the number of red blood cells, and increases hemoglobin levels. However, iron absorption is difficult if too much tannin is present.

Pink wine has the same beneficial properties as red wine, but they are less pronounced.

Drinking red wine has a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract: appetite increases, gland secretion increases, and stomach acidity is normalized. The acids contained in wine improve the digestibility of meat.

According to recent studies, moderate consumption of this drink for men is beneficial because it improves sexual function and sperm quality. This reduces the number of incorrectly formed sperm.

Red dry drink has another useful feature for men: it suppresses the activity of the aromatase enzyme, which converts testosterone into the female sex hormone estrogen. As a result, the amount of estrogen in the male body decreases, and testosterone (male hormone) increases. Excess estrogen in men contributes to excess weight gain, decreased potency, and the occurrence of telangiectasia, which is a red, dilated vascular network.

Dry red wines, unlike sweet ones, have almost no sugars. Therefore, they can be consumed by people on a low-sugar diet. Red wine is also useful in that it improves the response of cells to insulin, which reduces blood sugar and, as a result, prevents the deposition of fat. Why red is useful is already clear, but is there any harm from it?

Possible harm from drinking wine

It is well known what negative consequences come from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The beneficial properties of red wine can easily become harmful, if you forget about the established limits. The normal daily dose recommended by WHO for women is 120 ml (1 glass). For the stronger half of humanity, the norm is 2 times higher, since alcohol has a weaker effect on men.

A survey was conducted among Russians about how much wine they consume daily. The average result was below the recommended norm. However, it should be taken into account that wine is only the third most popular alcoholic drink in Russia after beer and vodka, although it is healthier.

In addition to dosage, you should pay attention to quality. Low-quality wine can even cause poisoning, since it may contain very poisonous methyl alcohol (methanol). Microelements harmful to the body (lead and arsenic) that enter grapes from contaminated soil can have a negative impact on health.

Allergy sufferers should use this drink with caution, as it can provoke or intensify an existing reaction. Allergic properties are inherent mainly in red wine.

To drink or not to drink?

Thus, dry red wines have a number of scientifically proven properties that have a beneficial effect on health. However, these beneficial properties only work when drinking a high-quality drink in small doses.

For some diseases, drinking wine, even high-quality wine, is strictly prohibited. In this case it will not bring any benefit. These are cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, pancreatitis, epilepsy, etc. It is not recommended to drink wine if you have hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, peptic ulcers and many other diseases.