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Wine has pleased the palette and lightened the hearts of every man since he first walked the Earth. Good health and happiness lies in every glass, whether white or red. But as with anything in life, wine can be just as much a curse if it is abused.

The more scientists delve into the properties of this remarkable drink, the more discoveries are made about its exceptional health benefits. Rich in antioxidants wine helps control the damage caused by free radicals that lead to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's. These ills can be alleviated just by having a glass of wine every day.

The French Paradox had many scientists puzzled as to why the diets and lifestyles of both Americans and French were similar, yet the French suffered fewer heart attacks or packed fewer pounds than their American counterparts. It is now understood that the main reason is due to the daily consumption of wine.

Red wine contains polyphenols found mostly in the skins of red grapes. Polyphenols help relax artery walls, reduce blood clotting and discourage the buildup of LDL (the bad) cholesterol. It raises the good HDL cholesterol and reduces blood pressure. It is also found in dark chocolate, green and white tea and fruits, particularly berries.

When compared to white, red wine contains more polyphenols as the whole grape is used in the fermentation process. White wine is made by removing the skins of both white and red grapes. This produces a less bitter taste, but does not negate the healthful benefits that white wine offers. Red wine is recommended for type 1 diabetics.

If you're looking for a good red wine that provides the most in polyphenols, try Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir.

Far from being less healthy, white wine has many advantages too. It helps to cleans out arterial plague. It has a better ability over red to prevent blood clotting. It helps reduce inflammation in the air passageways which is particularly beneficial for those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Evidence indicates that the flavonoid content in white wine helps to detoxify the blood.

Resveratrol is one of the many polyphenols in red wine that has received a lot of attention lately. It's also found in dark ales, stout and cask aged whiskey. If you're not a regular wine drinker, you can find resveratrol in supplement form at your local health food store. However, the alcohol content in wine helps for better absorption.

While a daily glass of wine will enhance health and longevity, but it must be remembered that drinking wine is no excuse to continue consuming a high fat, high sugar diet and no exercise, despite the French Paradox. In fact, it's been demonstrated that regular exercise helps speed up the metabolism that increases the effectiveness of the antioxidant power of wine.

If you are a man, you can get maximum benefit by drinking no more than two 4 ounce glasses a day. Women require a single 4 ounce glass. The best use is to take wine with a meal to help the digestion.

So go ahead and toast your health. It's the beverage of kings and there really is no excuse for foregoing the unusual qualities of the grape.

Learn more about this author, Mario Carini.
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