Death on Hold?

A reader asked a question about the recent "Chocolate, Wine and Wear It Red" column in regards to whether the same benefits from wine could be found in grape juice. Ms. T, the short answer is, probably. There's a lot of talk in the news and on the street about the benefits of red wine on heart disease. Everyone from the American Heart Association to the Mayo Clinic has weighed in on the potential benefits red wine can have on your heart health.
I want to be clear that I do not believe anything will take the place of exercise, sound nutrition and not smoking in protecting your heart and overall health. With that said, let's explore the benefits of juice vs. wine. We know that the substance called resveratrol (res-VAIR'ah-trol) is an antioxidant that comes from the skin of grapes. Other foods that contain resveratrol include peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. You may recall from an earlier column I used the Harvard School of Public Health Food Pyramid (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/) and their recommendations for fruits and whole grains.
Alcohol can contribute to a small increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), but you can also get a small rise in HDL cholesterol with regular physical activity. Alcohol has also been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, suicide, motor vehicle accidents, physical abuse, obesity and some cancers to name a few. It has been suggested that women should limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day and men no more than two drinks per day. The National Library of Medicine defines a “drink” as 12 oz of beer, 1.5 oz of 80-proof spirits, or 4 oz of wine. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid alcohol consumption altogether, because of the potential serious birth defects associated with its use. I want to point out that even light drinking can lead to an addiction. You should always discuss with your healthcare provider possible risk verses benefits of any supplement-including alcohol.
A recent segment on 60 Minutes re-examined the so-called French paradox which suggests that even despite a population that consumes a high fat diet and wine; there is a remarkably low incidence of heart disease. 60 Minutes reported the scientists in this segment launched a research company called Sirtris which was sold to GloxoSmithKline for almost three quarters of a billion dollars-supposedly validating their research findings on a “wine pill” “that could prevent diseases of the aging, and making a 90-year-old as healthy as a 60-year-old.” All this sounds a little too Jetsonian for me. I will let you know when a pill allows you to become a couch potato, eat whatever you want, and live past 100. But until that time, get some exercise, eat a nutritious diet, refrain from smoking, you will live healthier longer.
So Ms. T? Recent studies suggest purple Concord grapes which are also high in resveratrol may provide the same heart healthy benefits of red wine without the alcohol. You may find grape juice to be a little less expensive and if you’re pregnant much safer and healthier for you and your baby. Grape juice has no contraindications with medications and to my knowledge no one has ever been arrested for driving under the influence of grape juice. Putting “death on hold” isn’t as simple as taking a pill; however, simple lifestyle changes may make for a more pleasant ride. Great question, Ms. T, and I hope this helps.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com