Those first few sips signal the end of stress and hustle. The fragrant notes in the glass signal that it is time to dine… and to enjoy camaraderie and conversation.
But wine is more than a ritual stress buster. It can also be an educational pursuit, involving the distinction of subtle flavors and the appreciation for a craft as old as man.
Thankfully, wine provides more than mere enjoyment. It can also improve your health!
But that depends on how much – and what kind of wine – you drink.
Today, I want to share with you the proven health benefits of wine. We’ll also discuss the potential drawbacks and health risks – the “other side” of that double-edged sword.
The Healthy Side of Wine
The primary health benefits of wine come from a class of colorful phytonutrients, known as polyphenols. Among this group are flavonoids, anthocyanins and the well-known longevity nutrient, resveratrol.
These plant-based compounds are often sold as nutritional supplements. But studies show they are MUCH more powerful in their synergistic whole-food context – as they exist in wine. In fact, a study published in Biofactors, showed that the antioxidant value of polyphenols is amplified by the aging and fermentation process of winemaking.1
The benefits of polyphenols include increasing phase 2 detoxifying enzymes, turning off the genes that promote inflammation and preventing free-radical damage. Resveratrol, specifically, helps cells to live longer by influencing age-regulating genes. It also preserves the stability of DNA, inhibits growth of cancer cells and halts the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (a risk factor in heart disease).2
Given these attributes, it’s no surprise that red wine consumption is linked to:
- Reduced risk of heart disease3 and incidence of ischemic stroke4
- Better control of blood sugar and reduced diabetes risk5
- Lower blood pressure6
- Improved immunity7 and
- Longer life span.8
However, it is critical to note that in every one of these studies the health benefits accrued to consumers of wine defined as “light to moderate.” That means one to two glasses per day for men and one per day for women.
On the other hand, it should not surprise you that…
Excessive consumption of wine – especially long term – worsens all of the above. It can also damage your liver and deplete glutathione (your body’s master antioxidant), promote depression, affect your sleep, impair gut health, create addiction… and, of course, lead to hangovers.
The first key to “healthy wine” drinking is moderation.
But if you are drinking conventional wine – even in moderation – I have bad news.
You see, humans are not the only life forms that prize grapes. These little balls of sugar are also highly desirable to our insect friends. And the way most vineyards protect their crop is to spray pesticides. The result is that grapes are near the top of the “Dirty Dozen” foods sprayed with the most chemicals.
And this is true not only in the US. In France, where wine is a centuries-old tradition, grapes account for 20% of the pesticides used.9
And pesticides are not the only chemicals sprayed on grapes…
Due to their tight clumps, the fruit is prone to rotting on the vine and the growth of fungus and mold. Not only can this introduce mold toxins to the wine, it also promotes the use of chemical fungicides.
And unlike oranges, for example, which have a protective rind which you don’t normally eat… grapes have a thin and porous skin. That means they absorb the chemicals sprayed on them.
And because wine is concentrated from many grapes (600-800 per bottle) – the end result is a condensed source of harmful hormone-mimics and cancer promoting compounds.
The second key to “healthy wine” is to drink those produced without the use of chemicals.
The final consideration is the amount of sugar. Due to modern growing methods and the demands of our modern palate, many red wines contain considerable sugar. It’s not the same as a soft drink, of course. But it’s not compatible with a low-glycemic or ketogenic diet.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to find wines that are:
- Lower in alcohol (helping with the ‘moderation’ mandate)
- Grown and produced without chemicals or additives
- Low-to-no sugar per serving
That is, until now…
Introducing: Dry Farm Wines
All of the wines Todd selects are produced with exclusively natural, organic or bio-dynamic methods. They come from old-growth vines, generally 35-100 years old. These mature vines have deep roots. That means they can draw the moisture and minerals they need from the soil. These vineyards do not require or use irrigation and rely on natural rainfall (hence the name “Dry Farm”).
Have ever heard the phrase: “Struggle makes us stronger”?
It’s true for humans and it is also true in the plant world. This is why organic produce often has higher levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients than conventional. The same is true for “dry farmed” naturally cultivated grapes. The wine from these grapes is often more complex and offers even greater nutritional benefits.
The wines Todd selects are produced from low yields of hand-harvested fruit. They are fermented with the wild yeasts, naturally found on the grapes (instead of commercial yeast). And there are never any additives, preservatives, clarifying agents, colors, aromas or sugar introduced.
This is in stark contrast to MOST commercial wines where all of these methods are used – even though they are NOT required to be listed on the label!
Once Todd has narrowed his list down, he then uses sophisticated lab testing on every wine to ensure that they are:
- Statistically sugar and carb Free
- Naturally lower in alcohol
- Mold and Mycotoxin Free
The result is a hand-selected group of wines that are quantifiably the HEALTHIEST in the world.
Dry Farm Wines have greater complexity and flavor than those produced on an industrial scale. The cultivation and production methods are kinder to the environment. And the end product is one that you can feel great about enjoying!
Have a Taste for Yourself for $0.01
Either way, I hope you’ll check out Dry Farm Wines and learn just how healthy it can be to drink wine!
Cheers to Your Health!
Kelley Herring
Healing Gourmet
REFERENCES
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9388306
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26101461
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12070110
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630105
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16759314
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26232779
- https://news.ifas.ufl.edu/1999/08/red-wine-can-help-maintain-immune-system-uf-researcher-finds/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/articles/18184641/
- http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-definitive-guide-to-wine/?_ke=amRoQGh1c2guY29t
