Wine is life
DEAR DONOVAN,
Is there any harm to me drinking three bottles of wine per week? I know that wine has been said to be good for you in moderation, but I want to know if three bottles would be considered moderate. I find that wine helps me to relax, as I have a very stressful job.
Every year there are almost countless headlines about the health benefits of drinking wine. Wines, especially the red type, have been studied extensively over many years with some impressive findings. However, it should also be noted that these health benefits come from moderate wine consumption.
The amount of wine that you can drink before the health benefits turn to health concerns is dependent on age, sex, stature, and also the general state of your health. In addition, whether the wine is consumed on an empty stomach or with food is also important.
The American Heart Association defines moderate wine consumption as consuming one to two glasses per day. At this level, wine has been shown to have several health benefits. For example, a study has shown that moderate wine drinkers with high blood pressure are 30 per cent less likely to have a heart attack than non-drinkers. In addition, moderate wine drinking has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and also helps one to unwind and de-stress. A study has shown that men and women who drink two to five glasses of wine per week are less likely to be diagnosed with depression. It has been shown that wine drinkers have a lower mortality rate compared to beer and spirit drinkers. In addition, drinking wine has also been shown to lower the risk of heart diseases. Red wine has been shown to contain substances called procyanidins which protect against heart diseases
Drinking wine in moderation might also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, blood clot-related strokes, colon cancer, prostate cancer, developing cataracts and early brain decline. On the other hand, drinking too much wine can lead to a higher risk of depression, mental health problems, strokes, hypertension, fatty liver, several cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, obesity and reduced fertility.
It is interesting to note that wine can be a good source of calories. This is why excess consumption can result in obesity. In your situation, depending on the size of the wine bottles, three bottles of wine might be too much. Effort should be made to consume wine in moderation. Good luck.
We will answer your
weight-related questions
Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Call him at 876-286-1363. E-mail questions to clarkep@jamaicaobserver.com.
