Health

The benefits of drinking wine have been known for millennia as has the consequences of overindulgence.

There is ample sound evidence to suggest that regularly drinking moderate amounts of wine especially with food is better for you than not drinking at all. Apart from which the food tastes better and so does the wine.

I am very sceptical about much so called ‘scientific’ evidence concerning diet and alcohol which often changes and is subject to political expediency. However, Professor Roger Corder’s book ‘The Wine Diet’ seems to pass the twin tests of reliable science and common sense. It was after reading his book that I decided to add Madiran (Domaine Sergent Red / Domaine Sergent White) to my list.

The following article first appeared in Decanter Wine Magazine June 2007:

SOUTHWEST WINES: GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

The French who traditionally eat enough dairy products and foie gras to induce heart attacks by the time they reach their 20’s actually have a life expectancy as high as – if not higher than – other Europeans. This apparent contravention of medical rules, the French Paradox, has long been ascribed to the beneficial effects of a daily dose of red wine.
The mechanism behind this process has been uncovered by Professor Corder of Queen’s College in London, whose team is researching the effect of a set of chemical compounds known as procyanidins on the body’s blood vessels. Procyanidins, which are a type of polyphenol, block the production of a protein that constricts blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of blockages and heart attacks.
Polyphenols are present in tannic red wines, and the highest concentrations are found in wines from southwest France (Madiran) and Sardinia – a fact that correlates well with the longer-than-average life expectancy in these areas.
And hot off the press comes news of recent research at the University of Bordeaux, which suggests that Armagnac – another staple of the southwestern lifestyle – can not only inhibit production of blood platelets, which are implicated in arterial thrombosis, but may also help in the fight against obesity.
If you’d like to find out more about Professor Corder’s research and it’s implications for your health, his book The Wine Diet is a good place to start.