I have heard of the many health benefits of red wine and I was wondering if certain kinds are more healthy than others or are they all about the same. I always pick a dry red wine, because I have to watch my sugar intake.

I teach diet and nutrition for a company I want to set up on my own can I do this by taking information off the net and delievering this myself

Hi, as an avid red wine drinker and a biochemist I have been taking a keen interest in reports of red wine health effects.

However I believe you really have to be careful when assessing the health giving benefits of red wine. Yes it contains antioxidants - but are the active when absorbed through the GI track?

There are a few studies showing moderate drinkers live longer than teetotallers. However correlation and causation are not always the same thing. Perhaps the longer life could be due to a more relaxed attitude rather than any health giving effects of the tipple.

Also the studies showing red wine is healthy are also poorly designed, often not matching the drinkers and non drinkers in other respects. For example many people do not drink because the cannot due to existing illness- can they really be considered to be a non drinking control? Their illness that makes them not drink is also probably why they then shown to live shorter lives.
ALCOHOL -- HEALTH BENEFIT OR HAZARD? (http://www.benbest.com/health/alcohol.html)

Polyphenols in wine have been shown to inhibit an enzyme involved in heart disease and stoke- preventing atherosceloris (Cabernet Sauvignon being the best aparently).
BBC News | HEALTH | Why red wine is healthier (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1719675.stm)

Another polyphenol resveratol has been shown to decrease plaque formation in alzhiemers- however it is in too small quantities to have any effect when consumed in wine.

Wine Health » Red Wine and Your Health (http://www.winehealth.co.uk/wine-and-your-health/)

Then there is the ethanol, it raises the risk of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, neurotoxicity, diabetes amongst other diseases.

In conclusion you are probably deluding yourself to think that red wine is giving you health benefits.

My attitude is you have got to die of something.