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Is Red Wine Really Good for You?

With contradictory studies about red wine's benefits, many wine drinkers are confused — so we've gone to an expert to get the scoop.

 

Enjoy unwinding at the end of the day with a glass of wine? While there is no doubt that drinking wine (or any alcoholic beverage) in excess can adversely affect your health, career, and social relationships, there is evidence that moderate consumption of wine may have significant health benefits. Great, right? However, some health professionals continue to warn against the dangers of alcohol consumption, making it hard to piece together the real story about wine, your health, and longevity.
Much of the interest in wine, and red wine in particular, has to do with its antioxidants. Known as polyphenols, they are thought to protect your body's cells and tissues against damage that can lead to the development of diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Here is what we know so far about polyphenols.
3 Documented Benefits of Red Wine
For years, researchers have been investigating the effects of drinking red wine, along with how much is enough and how much is too much. Among the health benefits that have been associated with wine are:
  • Reduced risk of death. People who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, particularly red wine, are less likely to die from any cause during any specified time period than non-drinkers. Why red wine? The polyphenols in wine primarily come from the colored skins of grapes, so red wine tends to have a greater concentration of polyphenols than white wine, according to Georges Halpern, MD, PhD, distinguished professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and a researcher who has studied the health benefits of wine. "It seems that these substances in higher concentration have a better protective effect on the cardiovascular system and possibly other systems," says Dr. Halpern.
  • Decreased risk of heart disease. Moderate consumption of red wine has been associated with a reduced risk of dying from heart disease. That may be due in part to the fact that alcohol has been shown to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol. Red wine benefits may also include the reduced risk of blood clotting, which can lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
  • Protection from certain cancers. Laboratory studies have found that the antioxidant compounds in wine may block the formation of cancers and slow the growth of cancerous tumors. One recent study found that alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of thyroid cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and renal cancer.
Researchers are also conducting studies to determine whether red wine benefits might include prevention of other diseases and conditions — such as age-related brain changes and diabetes.

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A Heads-Up on Posture: Don't Be a Slouch!

Standing up straight is only part of the picture. Learn how the way you sit, sleep, and carry items can keep you pain-free. 


When I was a child, my grandmother was constantly after me, saying, "Sit up straight! Don't slump in the chair! Walk tall!" At just about every family gathering, I could count on Grandma giving me a lecture about posture. The message was the same even as I got older. In my teenage years, the reminders became a source of embarrassment and sometimes I would actually try to hide to escape her persistent pestering!
Well, now I'm an adult with children of my own. Often, while observing my youngest, the faint stirrings of Grandma's voice resound in my head. I'm actually surprised to hear my own voice echoing her very words to this child!
How Poor Posture Happens

Poor posture is easy, whereas adapting habits of good posture often requires conscious effort. Most people do not think about their posture until someone brings it to their attention. The benefits of good posture far outweigh the ease of slouchy poor posture.
You could say that poor posture habits have followed trends in society. Children carry huge overloaded backpacks, adults lug briefcases to work, and thousands of people spend hours hunched over computers, whether for work or play.
Poor posture is not only habitual, but is also seen in people with low self-esteem, degenerative problems affecting the spine, pain-causing muscle guarding, and obesity.
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Change takes willpower. However, the rewards of good posture are well worth the effort. You will feel great, and your physical appearance will look tall and confident.
What Does Good Posture Look Like?

The body is straight, but not robotic. The appearance is relaxed, as the ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles align in one straight line. If you hung an imaginary plumb line from the earlobe, the line would hang straight through the middle of the anklebone. Good posture means there is musculoskeletal balance. This balance helps to protect the joints in the spine from excessive stress. It also guards against injury and possible deformity. Good posture is a great tool to help prevent pain.
Starting Your Day

  • Stand up and stretch your arms above your head. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) suggests, "Do the 'hug your best friend.' Wrap your arms around your body and turn as far as you can to the left, then to the right."
  • Exercise regularly to keep the abdominal muscles strong to help support the spine.
  • Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Choose shoes that offer good foot support and comfort. Some styles can affect the body's center of gravity. Flat shoes are better.
  • Look at yourself in the mirror. Is your posture good? Think about your posture and how to maintain it throughout the day's activities. Practice makes perfect!
Purses, Backpacks, and Briefcases

Carry only the items that are required for each particular day.
Avoid a heavy purse, tote, or bag worn over one shoulder. This can place too much weight on one side of the body and can cause neck, shoulder, and back pain. If you must use a bag or briefcase with a single strap, make sure the strap is padded and wide. The ACA suggests wearing a strap that is long enough to place over the head, and rest the strap on the side opposite the bag or briefcase. This can help to distribute the weight more evenly.
People of all ages use backpacks today — preschoolers, students, office employees, teachers, backpackers, even grandparents! Many people pack the backpack to its absolute capacity. Some children carry almost as much weight in their backpack as they weigh! A loaded backpack should not exceed 15 percent of the body's weight and never more than 25 pounds. Consider the following backpack tips:
  • Choose a backpack made of a lightweight material.
  • Make sure the shoulder straps are adjustable, wide and padded. A backpack with a waist/hip strap is preferable. Wear the pack with both shoulder straps and hip strap.
  • Pack heavier items close to the back. Backpacks with many compartments will help you equalize and distribute the load. Pointy objects should be packed away from the wearer's spine.
  • Parents can talk to their child's teacher and arrange for a separate set of books to be kept at home, eliminating the need to haul books back and forth.
Working at a Desk: Posture-Friendly Tips

  • Choose office furniture that is ergonomically designed and that fits your body.
  • Sit with your back against the back of the chair with knees at hip level. Consider using a footrest. A small pillow or rolled towel placed at the lower back can offer needed support.
  • The workstation or desk should be at elbow height. Adjust chair height to meet this need.
  • Sit with your shoulders straight and parallel to the hips.
  • Don't slouch or lean forward to view work or the computer monitor. Either move closer to the work or move the work closer to you. Tilt the monitor so the center of the screen is at eye level for easy viewing.
  • Don't cradle the phone between your head and shoulder! It is much better to use the speakerphone or hold the phone in your hand.
  • Get up, walk tall, and stretch often.
Going to Sleep

A firm mattress will help keep your spine aligned! However, a few other tips to maintain great posture during sleep include:
  • Don't sleep on your stomach. Sleep on your side or back.
  • When lying on your back, place a pillow under your knees. This will ease low-back tension.
  • When lying on your side, place a pillow between slightly bent knees. This will help keep the spine straight.
  • Although oversize cushy pillows are inviting, they do not benefit your spine. Instead, use a pillow that allows your head to align with the rest of your body.
Of course, there are hundreds of other ways to help establish a lifestyle supporting good posture. Your doctor or chiropractor can give you many personalized tips to help you gain the benefits good posture offers.

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