“Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It’s culture. It’s the essence of civilization and the art of living.” Wine has many meanings to Robert Mondavi, but I’ll bet he would have been pleasantly surprised to learn that drinking wine can also provide health benefits.

Wine consumption dates all the way back to 3000 B.C., when researchers believe that ancient Egyptians used wine mixed with herbs as medicine to treat stomach problems. Years later in 400 B.C., Hippocrates prescribed wine for digestion and bladder problems. In the years that followed, wine was believed to provide several health benefits, from preventing heart disease to extending longevity.

The benefits of moderate wine consumption has been a hot topic for several years. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate wine consumption is considered having up to one drink per day for women, two drinks per day for men. The primary ingredient behind these benefits lies in resveratrol, an antioxidant found in some plants and in grape skins. Resveratrol can also be found in blueberries, cranberries and nuts. Though both red and white wine contain resveratrol, red wine contains more because it is fermented with the skins which allows it to extract more resveratrol than white wine, which is fermented after the grape skins have been removed.

Aside from being a soothing way to finish off the day, studies have shown that moderate wine consumption can offer several benefits:

• Heart Health - The antioxidants in wine protect the lining of coronary arteries and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. This can help reduce the risk of heart attack, coronary artery disease and heart disease.

• Raise the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol – A study of moderate wine drinkers in Amsterdam showed they had higher levels of “good” or HDL cholesterol levels because they removed the “bad” or LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream before they could clog the arteries.

• Prevent breast cancer – Red wine plays a primary role in this benefit. Scientists explain that chemicals in red grapes reduce the levels of estrogen while raising testosterone in premenopausal women, resulting in a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

• Prevent lung cancer - The quercetin in red wine works against cancer cells, helping reduce your risk of lung cancer.

• Prevent dementia – Resveratrol has been shown to reduce the stickiness of blood platelets, keeping the blood vessels open and flexible. This helps maintain good blood flow to the brain, helping to reduce blood clots and blood vessel inflammation.

• Prevent osteoporosis – The risk of osteoporosis, agerelated thinning of the bones due to calcium loss, can be reduced by moderate wine consumption.

• Youthful skin – Your evening glass of wine might be as important as your skin care routine. The anti-inflammatory properties in the phenols and flavonoids in red and white wine can boost collagen, helping to delay wrinkles.

• Raise levels of omega-3 fatty acids – Usually found in fish, omega-3 fatty acids protect against coronary heart disease. Moderate wine consumption can trigger a boost in omega-3 levels in the body.

• Prevent colon cancer – The antioxidants in wine can aid the good bacteria in your digestive system and help prevent colon cancer.

• Reduce colds – Studies show that the antioxidants in wine can play a part in reducing the risk of catching the common cold or other germs.

• Extend longevity – Because of the health benefits from resveratrol such as reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer risk, studies have shown that this can play a role in extending longevity.

Though moderate wine consumption provides benefits, these benefits actually disappear with excessive wine consumption.

Moderation is key, like most things in life. Excessive wine consumption can lead to high blood pressure, liver cancer and bone thinning, among other conditions. Whether you enjoy wine in red or white, raise a glass to some health benefits tonight.

Sources: www.webmd.com, www.cnn.com, www.cdc.gov, www.health.com