Give me red

DR SUJATHA VARALWAR tells you the benefits of having red wine in a limited quantity

We all have a question, is the hype around the red wine is so good to be true? Keep in mind that a modest glass is all you need. Beyond psychological happiness, drinking red wine one or two ounces of cup a day might enjoy alcohol health benefits. Centuries ago, wine was used to treat various health conditions. Wines, especially red have been studied extensively. However, research suggest any health benefits from red wine can be driven only by applying to moderate drinking.

preparation

Red wine is an alcoholic drink derived by fermentation of grapes and other fruits.

The sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide either in a natural process or with the help of yeast. It is made from the pulp of red and black grapes. White wine is made from crushed grape to extract the juice and skin is removed.

The process of wine making takes months to years, from fermentation to ethanol, and sent in tanks where skin is removed and malo-lactic acid conversion done by a bacterial process. Then it goes in to oak casks, settled and clarified.

 Components

• Acid: The most important component, consisting of tannic acid, malic acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid. Sugar content increases as grapes ripen and acid decreases. The acid balances alcohol and sweetness.
• Alcohol: Produced by the fermentation when yeast comes in contact with grape sugar.
• Tannins: Belong to a group of poly phenols, are derived from skin and seeds. These are flavonoids found in plants. Anti-oxidants (Catechins, Resveratrol) flavonols, Anthocyanins (pigments).
• Carbohydrates: Simple sugars and complex carbohydrates such as pectin's and glycan's. Residual sugars are those left in wine after fermentation.

• Preservatives: Sulphur dioxide, sodium or potassium metabisuphite, potassium sorbate.
• Inorganic components: Potassium salts (contribute to acidity) iron, copper, phosphate chloride, sulphate.

Heath Benefits

• Heart and blood vessels: Free radicals are held responsible for the effects of aging, inflammation and immune response. They are released as a result of the effect of pathogens, UV damage, environmental pollution and toxins. Resveratrol is known to slow down process of atherosclerosis. It inhibit platelet aggregation, plaque formation and relaxes coronary arteries.
• Cholestrol: Reduces LDL cholesterol and increases good cholesterol (HDL).
• Diabetes: Help lower blood sugar, maintain better insulin response.
• Brain and Nervous System: Helps reduce age related free radical damage, plaque formation and lessen the age related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 
• Renal System: Prevents stone formation, by flushing effect and inducing diuresis.

SIDE EFFECTS

Alcohol is hepatotoxic and neurotoxic and unreasonable quantity can damage liver and nervous system.  Contaminants found in wine such as sulphur can cause allergic reactions.

Ideal amount recommended for women is one glass per day and two glasses per day for men. Maximum of five glasses per week is said to be ideal.

The writer is Health & Lifestyle coach and Nutrition Consultant