We have all heard that red wine is part of a healthy life, but it is important to understand the specifics of the benefits of red wine, so you can make the best of them. For instance, not many people are aware that it is only red wine that offers many benefits, because it contains certain flavonoids which white wine does not.

What Are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are natural chemicals found in plants, fruits and vegetables. In terms of wine the flavonoids are found in the skin of the grapes. That is why they are only found in red wine. To make white wine you need to skin the grape.

Flavonoids keep your heart healthy in three important ways:

* They prevent blood clots

* They protect against oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol

* Lower high blood pressure

Through these hearth healthy benefits red wine helps prevent heart disease. In fact, studies have actually shown that one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men lower the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by 30-50 percent.

The Benefits Of Resveratrol

Resveratrol is one of the other benefits of red wine. This substance increases HDL, or good cholesterol, and also exhibits various antioxidant properties that help to prevent blood clots and plaque formation in the arteries.

Resveratrol can also be taken on its own as a dietary supplement. This is especially helpful for people who either don't drink alcohol, can't drink for medical reasons, or recovering alcoholics.

But Don't Drink Too Much

Remember that wine can be a double edged sword, so moderate your drinking. Too much red wine, because of the alcohol content can put you at higher risk for conditions like:

* Alcoholism

* High blood pressure

* High cholesterol

* Stroke

* Obesity

* Cardiac arrhythmia

* Sudden cardiac death

Also be sure to check with your doctor to make sure that drinking alcohol is okay if you are on any prescription medication. Combining alcohol, even small amounts in come cases, with prescription drugs can cause harmful side effects.

Health always encompasses many things. Never think that one type of drink, such as wine, or one type of supplement, or one kind of food is going to make you healthy on its own. It takes a combination of things and a consistent commitment to your health and well-being.

So if you want to reap the benefits of red wine then you should also be eating a healthy, well-balanced diet of raw organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of pure water, and getting a lot of regular exercise. Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!