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National Drink Wine Day: Women Who Drink Alcohol Are More Intelligent Than Their Teetotaler Counterparts

By Kalpana Negi
Published on: 06:46 PST, Feb 18, 2016

National Drink Wine Day is today, and that gives you a (almost) legitimate reason to drink some delicious wine. There are several headlines we come across everyday claiming the health benefits of red wine. But women may be happy to know that there are some benefits for them in wine and alcohol in general.

A study showed that wine boosts brain power in women if they enjoy some alcohol. According to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, moderate drinkers scored better than teetotalers. The study was done with more than 12,000 women aged 70-81 in sample size.

There are reports that tell us every single day that wine is probably that elixir to long life that all of us are looking for. Cancer, stroke, heart disease, early death — there are just way too many maladies that researchers say can be cured with wine. But how much of that is really true?

Doctors have found in recent studies that a few glasses (how many exactly, no one knows) a week can protect ladies from high blood pressure. And if you are either gender and over 55, then you have all the more reason to drink wine because it can apparently save you from blocked leg arteries, Daily Mail has reported.

Some doctors have gone as far as to say that not just wine, but alcohol in general can stimulate appetite. Doctors say that it can also lead to you not overfeeding yourself — the main reason for those spare tires, WebMD has said.

“Alcohol can stimulate the appetite so it is better to drink it with food. When alcohol is mixed with food, it can slow the stomach’s emptying time and potentially decrease the amount of food consumed at the meal.”

However, there are some misperceptions related to alcohol consumption, as well. Most assume that wine, especially red wine, is full of antioxidants.

“It does contain some, but they are not always well absorbed. If you want antioxidants, you are better off eating a spinach salad with vegetables than drinking a glass of red wine,” WebMD has said.

There have also been studies that moderate drinking of wine (but not beer or spirits) can also reduce the gradual weakening of the eyesight among elders.

And runners who drink in moderation increase their levels of good cholestrol.

However, you can always count on a glass of wine for lowering your cholesterol. Alcohol can raise good cholesterol by 20 percent if consumed in moderation. However, this needs to be done with regular physical exercise and a healthy diet.

The research evidence points to ethanol, or the alcohol component, of beer, wine, or spirits as the substrate that can help lower cholesterol levels, increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.”

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend one drink a day for women and two a day for men.

One needs to keep in mind that the way to good health goes through moderation and knowing exactly how much that “one drink” really constitutes.

What is one drink?

  • 5 ounces of wine
  • 12 ounces of beer
  • 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, such as vodka

However, there are a few no-nos when it comes to wine drinking. Pregnant women should not drink any alcohol at all. And if you are at high risk for cancer, you must discuss your alcohol consumption with your doctor, Consumer Reports has said.

So celebrate the National Drink Wine Day with all your friends, but make sure to drink in moderation and discourage those who drink a bit too much. And the most important of them all: Do not drive after you drink.

[Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images]

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