But Red Wine is Healthy! Is it Really?

We are in the season when grapes can be found on supermarket shelves. Many of my patients are surprised when I tell them it's advisable to avoid consuming wine—alcohol. They respond with, "But red wine is healthy!" In this article, I wish to address the question of whether wine is truly healthy. This topic receives a lot of attention in the literature.

First, I would like to point out that wine contains many active substances that should be considered. Wine contains alcohol and antioxidants that neutralize the development of toxins in the body. As for the antioxidants, there's no question about their considerable health benefits. Indeed, these substances help prevent atherosclerosis, which leads to heart and blood vessel diseases. This is achieved through several processes such as reducing inflammatory responses and preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (mistakenly known as the "bad" cholesterol—more on this in another article) and thus reducing the formation of blood clots. These substances contribute to the prevention of various cancers. They protect the nervous system, increase sensitivity to insulin, and thereby help lower blood sugar levels, among other benefits. However, there is no need to rely solely on wine for these benefits. These substances can be obtained from many foods already mentioned in previous articles, such as black and red grapes themselves, apples, berries, and many other foods.

In light of this, the question of the healthiness of wine mostly concerns its alcoholic component. Here, opinions are divided. On one hand, it has already been said, "Wine gladdens the heart of man," and indeed wine in a balanced dose leads to joy. Researchers add that alcohol has additional benefits, such as increasing the body's metabolic rate and boosting calorie burning. Some claim that alcohol helps delay the development of atherosclerosis by blocking blood clotting mechanisms. Furthermore, it is claimed to increase cellular sensitivity to insulin, which prevents the development of Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, they conclude that moderate drinking can be beneficial to health, considering the health status of the drinker, the medications they are taking, and other factors.

On the other hand, some argue that alcohol is essentially a poison and has a harmful effect on heart muscle, causing a decrease in its ability to contract. Additionally, it can cause heart rhythm disturbances and heart failure. Alcohol can harm the nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Even the digestive system can be harmed by alcohol, leading to the development of stomach and intestinal inflammations, damage to digestive enzymes—which directly affects digestive function, and delays in food absorption. It is interesting to note that wine drinkers know that wine increases the frequency and volume of urination because the body wants to rid itself of the alcohol. Therefore, there is an argument against drinking wine at all. In fact, it is advisable to consider each case individually with a caregiver who examines the overall picture.

Eliyahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist