Wine and Health For years the health profession has recognized there is a correlation among cultures that include moderate wine consumption to lower rates of heart disease (as compared to heart disease rates in the US).

For example, the French culture, which has traditionally consumed a fatty diet high in butter and creams, has lower rates of heart disease than the U.S. In fact, according to the Journal of Epidemiology, it was concluded that men, in France, who consume 2-3 glasses a day of wine had a 30 percent reduction in death rates from all causes. This is a good argument for improved health via moderate wine consumption. Serge Renard, Ph.D., the primary investigator on this study states, "We conclude that a moderate intake of alcohol mostly from wine, seems to protect many of us from death, not only from coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in general, but also from another causes." Renard's study involved more than 34,000 men with 82 percent consuming wine.

Wine should be consumed with food - not only for reasons such as increasing food pleasure, but also for proper digestion which allows for lower alcohol absorption rate. When alcohol reaches an empty stomach it passes directly into the blood stream in a matter of 15 to 20 minutes. When alcohol reaches a full stomach alcohol absorption may take up to two hours to enter the bloodstream.

The point is not to become intoxicated because one tends to not enjoy their food or wine. The term intoxication means to affect temporarily, with demented control, over the physical and mental powers. So...sip rather than guzzle, drink moderate rather than large amounts of wine. Drink wine during a meal, accompanied with water to avoid dehydration, and consume with carbohydrates and fats rather than proteins. Body weight and overall size determine alcohol tolerance and thus determine each individuals level of consumption decisions. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderation as no more than one drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. The Wine Institute suggests these rules for wine consumption:

• Wine should be consumed only in moderation, and preferably with a meal.
• Wine consumption should be part of social, family, celebratory or other occasions, but not as their central focus.
• Excessive consumption should be discouraged, and the choice of abstinence for religious, health or personal reasons must be respected.

By Bev Brock-Alexander