The Health Benefits of Wine

A glass of wine can offer much more than a relaxing drink at the end of a stressful day. As a vineyard and winery owner, I know that wine may also ensure a healthier heart, a reduced risk of cancer and many other health benefits scientists continue to discover.

Wine may help inhibit the development of certain cancers, a disease that affects half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S.

Those who drink one glass of wine per day have a 30 to 40 percent lower rate of death from cardiovascular disease than nondrinkers. A daily glass of wine also significantly reduces the risk of stroke and can help assist in recovery.

Wine's health benefits outweigh alcohol's risks only when experienced in moderation: no more than one glass of wine per day for women and two per day for men.

You don't have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy this age-old remedy. You can learn as much or as little as you'd like. Pop the cork because a healthier you calls for a special occasion.

Trust Your Heart to the Vine

• Over half a million Americans are diagnosed with heart failure each year. Moderate wine drinkers have a lower risk of heart attack due to wine's ability to reduce blood clotting.


• Antioxidants in grapes' skin and seeds lead to red wine's heart healthy nature. This substance helps reduce "bad" cholesterol while increasing "good" cholesterol, a process that also reduces the risk of a heart attack.


• Johns Hopkins University scientists found that red wine may help protect you from the brain damage associated with strokes.


• Diabetics present the same risk of coronary heart disease as someone who has already suffered a heart attack. A glass of wine may help prevent this leading cause of death in the U.S.

Fight Cancer

• Wine can help fight cancer by preventing cancer cells from receiving the protein they need to survive.


• A glass of red wine per day appears to cut the risk of prostate cancer in half for men. Moderate red wine drinkers also reduce their risk of colon cancer.


• While wine can help prevent some cancers, the American Medical Association warns that women who drink more than the recommended one drink per day actually increase their rate of breast cancer.

Toast to Your Health

• Your steak dinner's Bordeaux may help add years to your lifespan due to red wine's ability to help slow the aging of cells.


• Red wine's anti-inflammatory properties help fight the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. White wine's high level of antioxidants also helps keep lungs functioning properly.


• While heavy drinking can lead to high blood pressure, the American College of Physicians found that men with hypertension who drink one to two glasses of wine per day reduce their risk of a heart attack. Women who drink half a glass of wine per day lower their risk of high blood pressure by 14 percent.

Gather Friends

• Host a dinner party or a wine tasting to become more familiar with wine. Chill all white and blush wines 30 minutes before serving. Serve red wines at cellar temperature, which is 60 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.


• Start with the type of grape used to determine the wine's taste, color and aroma. Red wines include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Popular white wines include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. If you like a slight bubbliness, try a sparkling wine like champagne.


• If you serve different wines with a meal, move from light to dark and young to old. Dry white wine is usually paired with seafood or chicken, while red is best served with red meats and pasta.


• Wine tastings are best experienced at a pace that allows your guests to savor each selection. Station servings should be one to two-ounces.

Moderation is Key

• People tend to pour at least an ounce more than the recommended 5-ounce single serving, so be careful not to over-indulge. Too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart, as well as increase blood pressure.


• If you do not drink alcohol, there's no need to start. A healthy diet and regular exercise can provide the same benefits. Peanuts, green tea and blueberries also contain the same antioxidants as wine.


• People with liver or pancreas problems, or a history of alcoholism, may not reap the same benefits of wine as others. Consult your physician to see what's best for you.

The U.S. has experienced a 70 percent increase in wineries over the past five years. While California still accounts for 90 percent of America's wine production, all 50 states now house wineries. Plan a visit to your local winery to learn more about the wonders of wine.

Peggy Fleming, a spokesperson for HealthSaver, is one of America's most successful athletes. As the 1968 Olympic figure skating champion, she launched a career that has helped promote healthy living, breast cancer awareness and osteoporosis prevention. Peggy has been happily married for 36 years to Dr. Greg Jenkins, with whom she has two sons. They are also the proud grandparents of three grandsons. Peggy and Greg own the Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery in Santa Cruz, California. For every bottle of their signature Victories Rose wine purchased, $2 is donated to breast cancer research.

About HealthSaver

HealthSaver offers discounts of 20 percent on vision care, as well as discounts of 10 to 50 percent on prescriptions at participating pharmacies, 20 percent off complementary and alternative health care treatments and fitness club benefits. HealthSaver also offers discounts of 10 to 35 percent on dental care services at some 42,000 participating provider locations nationwide, including routine cleanings, X-rays, fillings, orthodontics, and even popular cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening. Members can also save from 5 to 50 percent off vitamins and supplements by mail. Discounts are based upon reasonable and customary costs or manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) and are only available from participating providers. HealthSaver is not an insurance product or service. More information about HealthSaver is available online at www.healthsaver.com or toll free by calling 1-800-7HEALTH (1-800-743-2584). A one month trial membership in HealthSaver (www.healthsaver.com or 1-800-743-2584) costs $1 and can be canceled anytime during the trial period. Unless the member calls to cancel during the trial, membership will be extended automatically and billed to a credit card number at the $149.99 annual fee. Members may call toll free to cancel at any time and receive a refund of the unused portion of their current year's fee. HealthSaver is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,000 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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