AhmandonkOne way to celebrate the joy of nourishing the body is with a glass of red wine and some French cheese. 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 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.
While I personally do not drink red wine (I think I’m allergic to something in it – it gives me a stuffy nose and a sour stomach), I do think it’s beneficial for some people.
Cheese I do enjoy. While I used to eat cheese sparingly (and with some guilt) because of its fat content and effect on cholesterol levels, research has led me to incorporate more cheese into my diet. Soft French cheeses tend to be higher in fat, so eat them sparingly. Just a small amount of cheese offers a big taste, so a piece or two should be satisfactory.
