Beneficial components
For many years wine has been studied scientifically, part of fine cuisine and a key element of the Mediterranean diet, but only recent did people start studying its nutritional value. A rash of positive effects have been discovered for the cardiovascular system and in prevention of tumors. The findings have been corroborated by other research and subsequent discoveries, such as a recent project at the Pulmonary Medicine and Intensive Care Department of the State University of New York that says wine improves lung function.

All of wine�s qualities reside in the substances it is made of. Besides minerals like potassium, sodium and iron, wine has alcohol and sugar, about 3 grams per liter of liquid. White and sweeter wines have more sugar. But wine�s real benefits lie in its polyphenols, tannins and resveratrol. The first of these substances give wine its bitter taste and are also present in grapes. They are strong anti-oxidants. This makes them good against cholesterol and regulate concentrations of vitamins E and C. Both effects provide cardiovascular protection because they prevent arteriosclerosis, a disease that stems from high levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad kind. Some researchers say it is tannins that make wine so heart-friendly.

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Tannins come from the wooden kegs in which wine is stored, and allow wine to be stored for years. It is also known that tea contains tannins. So it is believed that both may be behind the low heart attack rates in southern Europe, where wine consumption is common, and in Japan, where people drink a lot of tea.

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The other major healthy component of wine is resveratrol. It is a kind of flavonoid found in grapes and protects against some kinds of tumors. A study by the State University of New York at Stony Brook suggests that regular consumption of wine reduces the risk of rectal polyps, which are common precursors of colon cancer.

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Despite all these advantages, wine is an alcoholic beverage and that means you must consume it with moderation. Doctors say no more than two glasses a day, always with meals, and that pregnant women, children under 16 and people with liver trouble should abstain. Only consumption that is daily and moderate shows positive effects on health.

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Leaving the issue of taste aside, no kind of wine is better than another when it comes to health. Red wine may be more beneficial because it has more polyphenols and tannins than white or ros� wine.

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With regard to well-being and quality of life, enjoying wine requires preparation and care. Bottles should be stored on their side at a temperature no higher than 15 degrees in air that is dry and stable. Open the bottle a few hours before drinking the wine, especially if the wine is old, and drink it in a wide-mouth glass so that it opens up and gives off its aromas more easily.

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