Wine and health
Wine is not a food, in fact even if it is made of several substances as water, sugars, vitamins and minerals, it has very little nutritious meaning. Never-the-less wine has a proper role in food diet, or rather it has some physiological properties because of the presence of alcohol and others less important elements as glycerine, tannins, etc.
Several case studies confirm that "moderate consumption" of wine has good effects on digestive and cardiac apparatus. About the former apparatus, it reduce the risk of gallstone; about the latter apparatus, according to some studies it reduces coronary heart disease mortality. Besides alcohol coul riduce the thrombosis risk.
This rate of mortality increases a lot for heavy drinkers that are much more subject to mortality than non-drinkers.
What does "moderate consumption" mean? It depens on individual physical characteristics or better on the ability of alcohol burning. According to some specialist the right measure of drinking is about one-two glasses a day for men and a bit less fow women. However the right measure depends also on alcoholic content, individual tolerance, consumption way (before meals, regular or occasional consumption, etc.).
It is necessary to avoid drinking wine for children, adolescents, and during pregnancy and breast feeding. Pay attention about drinking before driving: alcohol reduces self-criticism and motor coodination.