I get Dr. Kim’s healthy newsletter. I do not always like what he has to say and honestly I do not always like what I read. This letter runs riot over the main stream media’s reports.
Dr. Ben Kim’s Natural Health Newsletter
August 10, 2009
Dear Reader,
This is a question that I receive regularly, and I sense
that most people who ask it love their red wine and want
some assurance that they can go on drinking it without
compromising their health in the long run.
To the best of my knowledge, the health-promoting nutrients
in red wine are derived almost entirely from the skins and
seeds of the grapes that are used to make the wine. The
most prevalent such nutrients are resveratrol, quercetin,
and various polyphenols.
Alcohol in red wine is NOT a health-promoting nutrient.
The physiological effects of being relaxed and enjoying
time with family and friends – circumstances that often
surround drinking red wine – may lead to a lowered risk of
cardiovascular disease, but alcohol itself does not prop
up cellular health.
In fact, all relevant studies that I’ve reviewed have me
convinced that long term consumption of alcohol increases
risk of developing a number of chronic neurological
conditions.
So drinking red wine in moderation – say 3-4 glasses a
week – if done in the context of relaxing with family and
friends is likely fine for people who aren’t disposed to
becoming alcoholics.
But a better choice would be to enjoy fresh, red or black
grapes with family and friends.
Please consider sharing this bit with family and friends
who mistakenly believe that alcohol itself is healthy.
