The grape is not the only fruit that can be used to make wine. Other fruits, such as apples, can be fermented to produce wine. When a fruit besides the grape is utilizing, that fruit’s name is usually implemented in to the title of the wine. For example, if wine was created from an apple, it would be called apple wine. Wine without a preceding descriptor is assumed to be grape wine, as that is the most common type.

While many people avoid alcohol because of its detrimental health effects, research has revealed that the moderate consumption of alcohol can yield several health benefits. The most beneficial form of alcohol has been found to be red wine. This is because red grapes are packed with antioxidants, and those stick around during the transformation from grapes to wine. The primary benefit of regular red wine consumption is cardiovascular protection. This means a lower risk of stroke and heart attack. Antioxidants improve cardio health by decreasing bad cholesterol, increasing good cholesterol, and reducing blood clotting (which is the ultimate reason that heart attacks and strokes occur).

Wine, especially red wine, contains a special antioxidant called resveratrol, which has incredible, positive health effects. It has anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties, and has even been shown to extend the lives of certain species. Resveratrol also facilitates nerve production. Due to the chemical’s properties, it has been theorized that the antioxidant is effective in preventing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Resveratrol is also available in a variety of natural supplements if you want to get the benefits of resveratrol without daily alcohol consumption.

If you are purely interested in health, then you should choose a red wine with the most antioxidants. The less sweet the wine, the more antioxidants it has, so that is the type of wine you should secure. Avoid white wine altogether, as while it does have some benefits, they pale in comparison to that of red wine.

Wine is a somewhat expensive commodity, which has led many people to begin brewing their own wine. The process of creating homemade wine is fun, not as expensive as one would think, and the final product can be as high a quality as the best wine on the market. You can find plenty of guides on exactly how to create wine on the Internet, but make sure to invest time in to identifying the best one. Not many materials are needed for this activity.

All you need is a large bucket, a hydrometer, a few wine-enhancing chemicals, an air tight mechanism, and of course either grapes or grape juice. There are vineyards that will sell fresh grapes and grape juice, and although taking this route is the most expensive, the final expenses still fall short of the cost of buying pre-bottled wine.

Whether you choose to make your own wine or buy it, it is important to store the product in a wine rack. A wine rack maintains the wine at a forty five degree angle, which is necessary to keep the seal strong and effective.

The amount of resveratrol contained in the wine is related to the length of time the grape skins are present during the fermentation process. That’s why the concentration of reseveratrol is much higher in red wine than in white wine where the juice is pressed from the grapes and the skins are removed early in the wine making process. Since grape juice is not a fermented beverage it is not a significant source of resveratrol.

Resveratrol is produced as part of a plants defense system and is an antibiotic to protect the plant against disease. Interestingly, higher concentrations of resveratrol are found in grapes grown in cooler climates where fungal infections are much more common.

The Japanese and Chinese have been using the active ingredient of resveratrol as a traditional treatment for human fungal, inflammatory, lipid, allergic, and hypertensive diseases for decades, but the health benefits of resveratrol in red wine have only came to the attention to the scientific community in recent years as a possible explanation for the ‘French Paradox’.

You see, the French have a high saturated fat diet, but a very low incidence of heart disease. Red wine, due to the grape skins, is thought to be the answer to this anomaly. Resveratrol is now being researched as a powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. To date, there are no long term clinical studies to determine the health benefits of consuming red wine, but combined with the well documented benefits to moderate continual alcohol intake, there doesn’t appear to be a health risk associated with resveratrol in red wine.

Before you run out and start buying cases of red wine as a cure for heart disease remember that there can be too much of a good thing. The American Heart Association suggests 1-2 glasses of alcohol per day is the optimal amount to reduce the risk of heart disease. More than two glasses of alcohol per day pose long term health risks that far outweigh any potential health benefits of resveratrol. In moderation, the antioxidant and anti-cancer benefits of resveratrol may be enjoyed.

A Toast! To the many good things that can be found in a bottle of Red Wine.