Wait, Wine may be Beneficial?

According to Scientific American, the consumption of wine dates back to “perhaps deep into the Paleolithic period” (Scientific American). As stated in this article, alcoholic beverages were used for medical purposes: “it was the universal drug.” Recently, there has been debate on whether consuming alcoholic beverages may be beneficial to one’s health or not. More specifically, it may aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. One study, conducted by Dr. Collins (et. al) (look at bottom for article) suggests that moderate drinking of alcohol can actually protect against “dementia-Inducing neuro-inflammatory proteins.”  According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), Resveratrol, “ a compound found in red grapes as well as supplements, appears to have properties that may help protect the brain” (NIH). There have been various observational studies that have shown that “moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease” (NIH). Of course, everything must be taken in moderation: consuming too much alcohol will not result in having an even lesser chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but, can damage the body. That is, you will do more harm than good to your body if you drink more than you should.

Recently, in The New York Times, an article posted with the title “Wine May Help With Diabetes.” According to this article, which was written by Nicholas Bakalar, Israeli researchers tested 224 patients. Patients either drank mineral water, white wine, or red wine with dinner. All patients were alcohol abstainers. Two years after the research initially started, “those who drank red wine had increased the HDL (or “good”) cholesterol about 10 percent, and significantly decreased their ration of total cholesterol to HDL” (New York Times).  These changes were unseen in those patients who drank mineral water or white wine.

So, aside from red wine possibly being beneficial for preventing Alzheimer’s, and in apparently reducing HDL percentage in those who have type 2 diabetes, one thing must be very clear: always drink in moderation! These studies are quite new, and there are studies out there that refute this conclusion. All in all, drink in moderation, and do not take this new theory for granted. It will not cure Alzheimer’s or diabetes, for now at least – who knows right?

Links:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-origin-of-wine/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/preventing-alzheimers-disease/search-alzheimers-prevention-strategies

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/wine-may-help-with-diabetes/?ref=health&_r=0

Title of Article:

“Moderate Ethanol Preconditioning of Rat Brain CulturesEngenders Neuroprotection Against Dementia-InducingNeuroinflammatory Proteins: PossibleSignaling Mechanisms”

Authors:

Michael A. Collins & Edward J. Neafsey & Kewei Wang &Nicholas J. Achille & Robert M. Mitchell & Sreevidya Sivaswamy