Alcoholic beverages have never really been my thing. Having never "acquired" a taste for beer (which I'm told is practically un-American of me), I always felt like I was doing myself a favor. Who needs those empty calories anyway? (Did you know there are 7 calories per gram of alcohol?)
Actually, all alcohol was not created equally - in terms of health benefits anyway. Here's the skinny.
The benefits associated with alcohol come in the form of red wine. More specifically, in the form of resveratrol.
Resveratrol is a plant chemical that has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. It has been touted in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and dementia as well as increasing will power and craving control. In clinical trials carried out on mice, resveratrol was credited with significant changes in genes involved in the anti-aging process. Since our DNA is bombarded daily with environmental assaults, the genetic data-base may be damaged and longevity may be negatively impacted. Resveratrol to the rescue!
This key ingredient is found most readily in red wine as it is made from the skins of the grapes. It can also be found in mulberries, chocolate and peanuts. However, each glass of red wine contains about 600-700 mcg and a daily dose is recommended at 15mg. Consider supplementation - but avoid it all together if you are pregnant, and use caution if you are on anticoagulation therapy or taking an anti-hypertensive medication.
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