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Page 87
| covered that it's the polyphenol compounds in wine that are responsible for destroying bacteria. |
| Wine fights everyday intestinal germs as well, so a glass with dinner may help prevent traveler's diarrhea and other digestive woes. Grapes or unfermented grape juice won't do as much good: wine's antibacterial properties are fully released during fermentation. |
| Tips: |
| Health experts recommend that maximum health benefits come from drinking wine in moderation. For women, that's one 5-ounce glass a day; for men, two 5-ounce glasses. |
| F.Y.I. |
| The healthiest wines are those that contain the most tannin, the substance that makes wine dry. Go for the heartiest wines, such as merlot, cabernet, and port. |
| The Down Side |
| Wine may contain added preservatives, colors, and flavors that are not listed on the label; some of these may cause adverse reactions. The preservative sulfur dioxide, for example, may trigger asthma in those who are susceptible. |
| Red wine also causes migraine headaches in some people. Researchers now believe that chemical substances called congeners may be responsible for this problem. |
| Here's a general rule of thumb: the cheaper the wine, the more chemical additives it will contain. You're better off spending a little more and drinking it conservatively. Buying organic wines may not make much difference, as it is generally the chemicals added during wine production, not those used in growing grapes, that pose the greatest health threat. |
| You should not drink wine or other alcohol if you have a tendency toward gout. Alcohol is also linked to liver problems, higher blood pressure, heart arrhythmiasand alcoholism. Pregnant women are advised to abstain from all alcoholic beverages, which can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. |
| Finally, despite the benefits linked to moderate wine drinking, physicians don't recommend consuming alcohol for that reason. |
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