Beer Better than Wine for Heart
Ailments
A great deal of research has proven that a moderate intake of alcohol can prevent heart disease. The question is: which type of alcoholic beverage is best? Wine is effective for those who wish to increase their levels of good cholesterol, but people with high homocystine levels (high homocystine levels are a risk factor for heart disease) are better off drinking beer. A study by the Nutrition and Food Research Institute of Holland asked a group of men to drink wine, beer, gin or water with their meals for three weeks at a time. Wine and gin, they found, raised homocystine levels, but beer did not. Those who drank beer saw a 30 percent increase in their vitamin B6 levels, which was twice as high as when they drank wine or gin). [From Men’s Health]
Red Wine Effective in the Treatment of Herpes in the Mouth
A compound found in red wine is effective in the treatment of herpes of the mouth, claims a research team at the Dept. of Medicine at Northwestern Ohio University. This particular herpes virus is resistant to a large number of medications, but red wine may be able to stop its growth. A research team is currently working to develop an ointment containing this beneficial compound. It has not been determined whether other alcoholic beverages contain this beneficial compound. [From SELF]
Tomatoes Are Good for the Heart
The effectiveness of lycopene found in tomatoes in the prevention of cancer is well known. It has been discovered that tomatoes may be effective in the prevention of heart disease, as well. According to a small-scale study conducted by the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland, a compound known as P3 found in the slimy substance that covers the seeds of tomatoes, can reduce the coagulation of blood platelets by as much as 72 percent. Decreasing the coagulation of platelets can reduce the risk of blood clots. Prof. Datta Ray, the study’s principal researcher, recommends eating four tomatoes a day. As long as the slimy substance around the seeds is present, it doe not matter whether the tomatoes are cooked or juiced. P3 is also found in strawberries and grapefruits, but not in the same quantities. [From Men’s Health]
(The information provided should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Consult your physician before attempting any new program. Readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of developing serious medical conditions.)
