Is 1-2 Glasses of Red Wine Such a Good Idea?

We’ve all heard the myth that 1-2 glasses of red wine are a great source of antioxidants haven’t we?

While you might not have heard of resveratrol directly, it this potent antioxidant that gives red wine its supposed health benefits. Unfortunately for the wine industry, red wine is neither the most potent form of resveratrol, nor the healthiest way to consume resveratrol. Even a low intake of alcohol, has been associated with adverse health outcomes including:

• colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases,
• type II diabetes and insulin resistance,
• obesity and visceral fat storage.

So, What is Resveratrol Exactly?

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phyto-nutrient found in many plants. Not just grapes, but also:

• japanese knotweed,
• peanuts, and
• berries such as cranberry, mulberry, raisins and bilberry.

Japanese Knotweed not grapes take first place for the highest plant based concentrations of resveratrol. It has been suggested that Japanese Knotweed can contain up 1,000 times more resveratrol than what is found in grapes.

What is Resveratrol Used For?

The use of resveratrol containing herbs for medicinal purposes is not new. Japanese knotweed, particularly, has long been used in traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Ayurvedic medical systems where it has been used as a circulatory tonic.

While research into resveratrol is underway and still in early stages it has been shown to be particularly promising. Besides, the long acknowledged use of resveratrol for cardiovascular protection, nonhuman trials have shown resveratrol to be effective in other situations including:

• the prevention of initial incidence and ongoing growth and development of many forms of cancer cells including breast, prostate and colon;
• helping to prevent the precursors to type-II diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity allowing better control of blood sugar levels;
• combatting obesity by mobilising existing fat and increasing the rate of fat burning;
• protecting cartilage cells from damage resulting from inflammation of osteoarthritis and reducing inflammation.

How Much Resveratrol Do I Need?

It’s important to note that no real therapeutic dose has been set for the intake of resveratrol. Most studies have used from 8mg to 25mg per kilogram of (rat) body weight in human terms somewhere between 1g and 2g of resveratrol per day. Life Extension Magazine, in March 2007, suggested the anti-ageing effects of resveratrol required a dose of somewhere around 20mg per day.

Red wine contains anywhere from one and a maximum of seven milligrams of resveratrol per litre of wine. To consume even a maintenance dose of resveratrol from red wine would require almost three litres of wine each day! Don’t forget, even regular low intake of alcohol has been associated with adverse health outcomes.

Before you ask, as resveratrol is not stored in the body and breaks down rapidly, a boozy weekend would not allow you to store resveratrol intake for the week.

What are other ways to obtain resveratrol?

Fortunately, there are better ways than red wine to obtain your daily dose of resveratrol. A diet that includes regular intake of berries will give some levels of resveratrol, without the damaging effects of red wine.

To achieve the therapeutic results found from many studies will typically require supplementation. Resveratrol supplements, are commonly available from Naturopaths and health food stores.

Be sure to consult with your natural health care practitioner who can give you other ways to boost your anti-oxidant intake.