Take wines to heart

Today's column is inspired by an e-mail a colleague sent to me a couple of days ago. It had a table of all the "cures" wine is supposed to have and a picture of a basement wine cellar that is a Bacchanalian dream. The title of the e-mail was: The medicine cabinet in my kitchen.

Wine, red wine to be more precise, is supposed to be good for you. Regular amounts in moderation will keep your heart healthy. Red wine has an antioxidant called resveratrol that can help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage.

But the key word, of course, is always moderation. There is also alcohol in wine, too much of which can hurt you more than it can "cure" you.

Some facts and figures coming out from no less than the Mayo Clinic in the United States argue the case for red wine as a health supplement.

Studies supporting the benefits of red wine suggest antioxidants in it called polyphenols help blood vessels in the heart. They come in two forms -flavonoids and nonflavonoids.

The first, flavonoids, are found in oranges, grape juice, apples, onions, tea and cocoa. White wine and beer also contain small amounts, but red wine has the higher levels of flavonoids.

Nonflavonoids seem to help "unclog" arteries, especially the one known as resveratrol, believed to help protect blood vessels, reduce "bad" cholesterol and prevent blood clots.

That, so far, is the scientific case for drinking a glass of red wine every day. There are also other reasons.

In winter, a glass of red drunk with or after dinner will warm you up and put some color into cheeks chilled by the biting wind. When the temperature drops to below zero, nothing warms the cockles of your heart and tummy like a glass of full-bodied red.

Finally, here's the tongue-in-cheek, glass-in-hand table of cures my friend sent me, replicated here for your reference and to be taken only in the lightest right spirit.

For allergies, take a glass of Medoc (or take four glasses if you are depressed). If you are feeling a little weak and anemic, fill up with another four glasses of Graves.

Bronchitis sufferers may find this recipe useful: Combine three cups of Bordeaux or Bourgougne and mix with sugar and cinnamon. Guaranteed to taste better than toddy.

If constipation is a problem and you drink four glasses of Vouvray, you'll get regular pretty fast. But if you are suffering diarrhea, drink four glasses of Beaujolais Noveau (due out on Thursday, Nov 18), and be very happy.

Two glasses of Burgundy is good for the heart and if you have fever, a whole bottle of champagne may make you feel a little high but it will at least put you to sleep until the fever subsides.

And if you are still reading this sitting upright, champagne is also good for rheumatism.