Physicians Health

“In vino veritas.” This well-known Latin phrase can be translated as “The truth is in wine.” Let’s find out what “truth” people are talking about.

Wine is thought to be one of the oldest alcohol drinks in the world, dating back several thousand years. Unlike many other alcoholic drinks, wine has a number of health benefits. If you drink it within reasonable limits, of course.

• Wine can lower the risks of heart disease and heart attacks. Scientists say that wine reduces the production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is thought to be one of the main heart disease causes.
• Wine prevents the formation of blood clots and plaque in your arteries. It also helps to keep your arteries flexible and healthy, thus preventing atherosclerosis. So, we can say that red wine is good for your cardiovascular system in general.
• Wine is thought to be rich in antioxidants, so it helps to prevent cancers. It also prevents the formation of kidney stones.
• Unlike other alcoholic drinks that suppress your immune system, wine makes your immune system stronger.
• Wine has a good calming and anti-stress effect. If you drink some wine in the evening, it will help you relax and sleep better.

Those are the positive effects of wine. But don’t forget that wine is an alcoholic drink, so it has negative effects as well:

• If you drink lots of wine, it can raise your blood pressure and cause hypertension. Though, if you drink just a glass or two with your meal, it may lower your blood pressure.
• Red wine can cause headaches and trigger a migraine in those who suffer from it.
• Sometimes wine can lead to weight gain.

So wine can really be quite useful, if you don’t abuse it. Men can drink one to two glasses of wine daily, and for women one glass is enough.

Photo © yashima

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