Grapevine: If Wine Doesn’t Benefit You It May Just Kill You
In previous columns I’ve been an advocate for the moderate consumption of wine. I’ve presented the benefits and rarely focused on the negative aspects. (Isn’t there always a counterargument these days concerning the benefits or detriments of any form of food or beverage?)
Well, here it is: the negative argument for imbibing wine–or any other alcoholic beverage.
In an effort to provide a balanced approach, let’s first focus on the benefits of consuming wine in moderation.
- Anecdotal proof. Wine has been consumed by many civilizations for millennia. The Egyptians of 3,000 B.C., the Greeks and Romans of 1,000 B.C. and Western Europeans of the last 2,000 years have consumed wine for its proven medicinal, therapeutic and anti-microbial values. History sometimes provides a better validation of theorems than the most recent scientific evidence.
- Numerous Studies. Volumes have been written on the benefits of antioxidants in our food and in our bodies. Studies have validated the benefits of red wine: protecting the heart and brain, fighting and preventing cancers, reversing diabetes and obesity, boosting the immune system and slowing the aging process.
Now the counterargument. There are generally three reasons offered for the negative effects of imbibing: first, high alcohol; second, high alcohol; and third, high calories.
High Alcohol. It is quite clear that excessive alcoholic intake is dangerous. In addition to the deleterious health effects (liver disease, increase in cancer, cognitive impairment), there are the social dangers (drunk driving, aggravated assaults).
But how to define excessive? How to gauge one’s tolerance level? There seems to be a shifting scientific argument that even one daily glass of wine may be unhealthy for a segment of our population.
Consumption of wine can be habit-forming and lead to increased intake of alcohol, leading to a plethora of medical and social problems for the population as a whole. A study published in the British Medical Journal earlier this year found drinking less reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers blood pressure. The head of the study reported, “We saw a link between a reduced consumption of alcohol and improved cardiovascular health, regardless of whether the individual was a light, moderate or heavy drinker.”
High calories. A gram of carbohydrate sugar contains four calories. A gram of wine contains seven calories. Extrapolating that, a typical glass of wine (five ounces), with an average percentage of alcohol, has as many calories as two chocolate chip cookies. Do the math: the equivalency is for each glass of wine consumed.
In the United States, we’ve come to grips with the counterbalancing arguments in several economic cycles. Early immigrants brought their lifestyles from Western Europe to their new homes in America, including wine with meals.
As a developing industrial nation in the 19th century, the burgeoning throng of hourly factory and mining workers looked to alcohol to blur the realities of their long, exhausting workdays. Alcoholism was rampant.
The temperance movement grew out of this national inebriation, culminating in the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. After 13 years of legislated temperance, which was only moderately successful, the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition.
Fast forward to 2014. Wine is broadly seen as acceptable, and in the opinion of a number of stalwart consumers, a natural accompaniment to a meal. Even the Food and Drug Administration continues to support the medical benefits of one to two glasses of red wine each day.
Is there a means by which we can drink our wine and preserve the benefits, while reducing the negative effects? Short of switching to grape juice, which contains as much antioxidants as wine, is there an acceptable compromise?
Next week: low-alcohol, light and nonalcoholic wine.
Nick Antonaccio is a 35-year Pleasantville resident. For over 15 years he has conducted wine tastings and lectures. He also offers personalized wine tastings and wine travel services. Nick’s credo: continuous experimenting results in instinctive behavior. You can reach him at nantonaccio@theexaminernews.com or on Twitter @sharingwine.
