I'm a very modest drinker. I love wine. I used to like just white wines, but my range has extended to the reds. My taste in wine followed the trends of the day: Lancer's Rose, Rhine wine (shudder), Chablis, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio. I've never liked Chardonnay, though. Now I drink shiraz, beaujolais, zinfandel, chianti, riojas...all kinds of wonderful wine.
I was delighted to read that researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have determined that women who drink no more than 14 drinks a week, but at least one, have a lower risk of heart disease than those who abstain, or those who drink more heavily (15 or more drinks a week).
Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has found that adults 65 and older who drank one to six glasses of alcohol a week (beer, wine or liquor), had a 30% lower risk of developing dementia than did abstainers. Heavy drinkers, those who had more than 14 drinks a week were twice as likely to develop dementia.
In addition to all that good news, alcohol raises levels of HDL...the GOOD cholesterol. It also keeps blood platelets from sticking together, so it may help to prevent some types of heart attacks and strokes.
Red wine has an antioxident called resveratrol which reduces free radicals that cause cell damage. Free radicals are toxic compounds found in the body.
I'd say this is all good news. I can stock up the wine rack. Let's plan a party!
Comments (13)
...party :^)....(I used to have to fight for my right to party)...is it a byob?...or can we just turn up :^)...
Posted by billy | August 18, 2003 4:37 PM
Posted on August 18, 2003 16:37
Until I've partied with you once, Billy, it's BYOB. *G* Please note, I didn't post any of the bad things about drinking.
Posted by Buffy | August 18, 2003 6:31 PM
Posted on August 18, 2003 18:31
Well, even if its a BYOB situation I want to be included on the invitation list.
I think my posts make it clear that I like a drink....rum especially, but I like a nice red wine also, great with good food and company!
Ever tried Gato Negro?? The Merlot is good....Chilean wine...and quite cheap I may add. Cheers.
Posted by Dr. D. | August 18, 2003 10:02 PM
Posted on August 18, 2003 22:02
The other good news is by combining wine with a meal, one tends to eat slower. This too, is an added kindness to one's system, mentally and physically.
Posted by Roberta | August 19, 2003 12:07 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 00:07
I have a wine store next to work, that makes their own wine. I think I'll have a stop by tonight.
Posted by Dawn | August 19, 2003 7:08 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 07:08
a good red wine is a fine thing! reminds me of when we lived in the SF Bay Area, there was one of the road crews thet had the trusty "Survey Party" sign out, with "BYOB" neatly stenciled in black at the bottom...
Posted by PJ | August 19, 2003 10:02 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 10:02
Thanks for the suggestion, Doc! I'll look into it at another of my favorite stores! *G*
Roberta, you are SOoooo right! It's amazing how a glass of wine can make a meal more civilized. Candles, cloth napkins and flowers at the table, even simple arrangements from your own garden, have the same affect.
It's a start, Dawn!
Cute, PJ.....sounds right for that area! *s*
Posted by Buffy | August 19, 2003 10:13 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 10:13
Great news! Off to a long lunch...
Posted by Allison | August 19, 2003 10:34 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 10:34
Wooohoooo did I hear "party"???? Count me in *smile*
Posted by Jamie | August 19, 2003 11:04 AM
Posted on August 19, 2003 11:04
Living in Italy for 5 years turned me into a wino. I go for the reds, merlot mostly. I'm up for a wine tasting shindig.
Posted by Sgt Hook | August 19, 2003 8:06 PM
Posted on August 19, 2003 20:06
Speaking of glasses and making a meal more civilized...I remember going to a birthday get-together a few years back. They were serving red wine as the only alcohol...meaning there was NO rum! :-( The next thing I knew I was being given some wine in a PLASTIC WHITE CUP...disposable. I drank it, but it seemed to lose all its flavour to me. Wine = Glass please.
Posted by Dr. D. | August 19, 2003 9:26 PM
Posted on August 19, 2003 21:26
Alcohol? I'm for it.
Posted by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop | August 19, 2003 9:33 PM
Posted on August 19, 2003 21:33
Jamie....it's about time. We haven't partied hearty in a Loooong while.
Hook....I figure I'm about in the middle of this group, so the party is at MY house! Yeah....we like merlot, too.
Doc....Ewwwww to plastic! Nasty stuff. If you are all coming for a party, I'll be sure to have enough GLASSES to go round.
Allison, come join us and we'll toast your new company.
Jim, come and tell us scary tales about the night the lights went out. *G*
Dawn, you'll have to try some of the REAL stuff (GRIN)!
T-bone....I know you didn't post....but you can hitch a ride wif Jamie and Speed.
Posted by Buffy | August 19, 2003 10:38 PM
Posted on August 19, 2003 22:38