THINKING ABOUT DRINKING BENEFITS AND RISKS BY SHANTI ARGUE
TRUE OR FALSE
Red wine is more concentrated, so it has more resveratrol—a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant. Answer: False. Grapes and berries actually contain more resveratrol, so you get more health benefits from a bowl of fruit.
Some people absolutely should not drink at all, depending on medical and family history. But there’s a huge range of drinking habits between total avoidance and falling down drunk.
HEALTH BENEFITS
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK THERE’S A JOKE ABOUT HOW INSEPARABLE WOMEN ARE FROM THEIR WINE.
“Wine is to women as duct tape is to men—it fixes everything.” Gift shops carry mugs reading, “This might be wine,” and oversized wine glasses that say, “Mommy’s sippy cup.” Even internet memes tout wine as the solution for every problem, from work stress to parenting— “Wine makes everything possible” or “There’s no problem that six glasses of wine can’t solve.” There’s an idea that wine is healthy— gotta get those antioxidants—and that it’s sophisticated, classy and harmless. After all, humans have been drinking wine for thousands of years! It’s even a component of the healthy Mediterranean diet. But how much is too much? 36
March/April 2020 RWmagazine.com
First of all, the benefits don’t necessarily outweigh the risks, so don’t feel you should start drinking if you don’t already. However, if you enjoy an occasional glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail, you will be pleased to know that there are a number of studies that show moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Red wine in particular has been shown to correlate with living longer and slightly increasing omega-3 fatty acid levels. Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked with benefits such as possibly reducing risk of ischemic strokes, heart disease and diabetes, although it’s not clear whether it’s the alcohol that makes the difference or corresponding lifestyle factors such as taking time to relax and socialize. However, every study that shows a potential benefit has only shown a benefit with light to moderate consumption. If you exceed that, you are hurting your body, not helping. For women, the safe upper limit for “moderate” consumption is one drink per day or no more than seven per week. More than that is considered heavy or high-risk drinking. Make sure to measure; a serving of red wine is 5 ounces.
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Alcoholism is a serious medical condition. If you think you need help reducing or stopping alcohol use, there are many local resources:
• MN Adult & Teen Challenge Women’s Program in Rochester: 507-288-3733 • The Gables (women only): 507-282-2500 • Recovery is happening: 507-218-4773 • Empower CTC: 507-292-1379 • Fountain Centers: 507-252-0818 • Common Ground: 507-281-0023 • Mayo Foundation Addiction Services: 507-255-4151
