'Various studies have concluded that wine in moderation— and red wine in particular—is an excellent defence against heart disease'
red, red WIne By DaVE BIggs
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Winter is when we drink more red wine than usual. Here’s a recap on why red wine is good for you
or many years health professionals have pondered the phenomenon they refer to as “the French paradox.” This is the curious fact that the traditional French lifestyle appears to be everything the doctors tell us to avoid, but the incidence of heart disease is far lower in France than in most overtly health-conscious countries. The French tend to eat foods high in fats and carbohydrates—paté, charcuterie, red meat, rich sauces, high cholesterol foods—and the illusion that every suave 1 8
sOUTH AFRICAN CONNOIssEUR
Frenchman has a smouldering cigarette (probably a smelly Gauloise) dangling from his lips doesn’t help matters. All this would bring on heart attacks anywhere else on earth, but the French seem almost immune to coronary problems. What’s the secret? The answer is good news for wine lovers. The French lifestyle also includes a glass of wine with every meal. Various studies have concluded that wine in moderation—and red wine in particular—is an excellent defence
against heart disease. Wine contains powerful antioxidants (one called resveratrol) that breaks down the plaque build-up in veins and arteries, which causes poor circulation and contributes to heart attacks. That same antioxidant property is said to prevent Alzheimer’s and improve memory. This should come as no surprise, considering that our brains depend on a healthy blood supply to function properly, so plaque-free blood vessels help keep us mentally alert.
