One satisfying way to celebrate nourishing the body
is with a glass of red wine and some cheese. Cheese & wine parties are excellent for larger get-togethers.
You can make the party a lot of fun by having every guest bring a bottle of
wine and an exotic cheese. This is a great way to sample new wines and cheeses
... and a perfect way to get to know your friends better with free-flowing wine
and cheese conversation. It is also a nice way to ward-off high blood pressure. You see, wine and cheese are the Batman &
Robin dynamic duo for lowering your blood pressure, as well.
~
A Glass of Red Wine ~
The
health benefits of red wine are plentiful: it has powerful antioxidant
properties that are derived from the red pigments in grape skins (members of a
family of compounds called proanthocyanidins); it contains tannins that can
help reduce the risk of heart attack by hindering the formation of blood clots;
and studies have shown that red wine can raise levels of HDL, the protective
form of cholesterol.
The flavonol called resveratol is a
protective antioxidant. Free radicals are agents that affect chemical reactions
in the body; they can cause cell damage resulting in cancer and other problems
such as high blood pressure. Resveratol as the protective antioxidant protects
your arteries against the damage done by free radicals and also assists in
preventing the hardening of your arteries.
Flavonol also benefits you in another important way. The clumping together of
blood platelets causes blood clotting and thrombosis - not something you want
to have to deal with as both can be deadly serious problems! Flavonol is active
in stopping your platelets from bunching up together; a glass of red wine helps
your body to prevent these nasty problems by keeping your blood smoothly
flowing through your arteries. Recent studies have shown that drinking red wine
also helps to improve the operation of your artery linings. When the linings of
your arteries are working properly they freely dilate bringing down your blood
pressure. The only question is how much of the good red is too much?
While I
rarely drink red wine myself, I do think it's beneficial for some people. I
recommend organic red wine, and limiting your intake to no more than 1-2
servings per day (if you do not drink alcohol, do not start for health reasons).
Nobody is suggesting you go out and
buy a crate of red wine to be consumed immediately, but a glass or two a day is
ideal for most people ... this is the perfect consumption to keep your heart
and arteries young - and maintain your blood pressure at healthy levels. Which
red wine is best? The darker varieties are best as they are higher in the
protective resveratrol flavonoid. As far
as white wine is concerned, you really should not bother ... it has much less
benefit than the mighty red.
~
A Chunk of Cheese ~
When we think of cheese we tend to think of how much fat it contains, and
whilst cheese does have more than enough saturated fat, a little is actually
good for you. The key is, of course, moderation. Just like red wine, if you do
not go overboard, it can be healthy. Having too much of cheese raises your
cholesterol levels.
Research on the health benefits of cheese leads us to incorporate more
cheese into our diets, as it’s a natural source of calcium and protein. Cheese
contains vitamin K, which is beneficial for the heart and arteries, as well. Soft
French cheeses tend to be higher in fat, so eat them prudently – healthier
options include organic, natural cheeses such as Emmental (Swiss), Jarlsberg
and true parmesan. Small amounts of a variety of organic cheeses can help to
re-seed gut flor. Just a small amount of cheese offers a big taste, so a piece
or two should be satisfactory.
When cheese is being made and the milk is
fermenting ... peptides are released from the milk proteins. Peptides, which
are related to proteins and amino acids, help to control your blood pressure by
impeding the enzymes that convert angiotensin.
Angiotensin is made up of any of the three polypeptide hormones, one of which
is a powerful vasoconstrictor (something that constricts a blood vessel). When
the protein angiotensin gets converted to angiotensin II it constricts your
arteries and increases the retention of water and sodium. This whole process
has a rather adverse effect on your blood pressure - it pumps it right up!
You can stop the reaction that forces your blood pressure up by taking in the
other peptides - those found in fermented milk products like cheese. By eating
a small wedge of cheese this blocks the enzyme that creates angiotensin II,
helps your arteries to stay relaxed, and keeps your blood pressure down.
Having been at the grinding wheel
all day ... when the tension built up during the day has pumped up your blood
pressure ... why not enjoy some nice cheeses with a glass of dark red wine.
Relax your mind, relax your body, relax your arteries ... get your blood
pressure back to a normal level.
