Relax your mind and body with wine and cheese!

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.