Drinking red wine is beneficial and heart healthy for you.
Drinking even small amounts may increase the risk of breast cancer in women.
Studies have long shown that small amounts of red wine may actually help reduce your risk of heart disease. However, warnings in new studies say even small amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Please note the study says alcohol and doesn’t specify the type of alcohol.
Why is red wine best to drink over other types of alcohol?
What is important about red wine is the color, which comes from the skin of the grape. Resveratrol, which is an antioxidant, is concentrated in the skin of the grape. Studies in the past have shown that large amounts of resveratrol can reduce diabetes, blood pressure and fatty liver; and is a secret to longevity. Resveratrol found in red wine also has been shown to protect artery walls and boost HDL, the good cholesterol. Coming from a family with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, those findings alone make me want to go pour another glass of red wine.
Doctors say that three glasses of red wine a week is beneficial (I wish the report had said 3 a day!), whereas some reports say that one glass of red wine a day for women is fine.
New reports say women need to be careful about the amount of alcohol they consume, stating that it increases the risk of breast cancer. The lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 10%. If you drink alcohol, it bumps up that percentage to 15%. That marginal increase is not high enough of a risk for me not to drink red wine considering all of its other benefits.
Most studies regarding the benefits and risks of drinking alcohol are not as accurate as you would think so most doctors say don’t be scared of casual, social and moderate drinking because it is actually healthy.
This is good news for me because I do love my red wine! Anything in moderation I am all for!
{As always, please consult your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease and breast cancer. Everyone’s family history is different!}
