Image source: http://cdn.visitlodi.com/uploads/2015/03/Drink-to-Your-Health1.jpg
"I had taken two finger-bowls of champagne, and the scene had changed before my eyes into something significant, elemental, and profound. - F. Scott Fitzgerald
My Life Lesson #37 is: Drink Champagne for no reason at all (http://tinyurl.com/c5nxmx). The history behind this life lessons is that I was fortunate enough to be raised by parents who celebrated most occasions with Champagne and I inherited this habit from them. I love to open up a bottle of good Champagne at any kind of occasion. Because my Champagne intake is very regular (though limited in volume), years ago my mother gave me a pillow with the following quote on it: Champagne spoken here!. This is still true!
I really enjoy the smell, taste and feeling of Champagne and. I have always know that a flute or two a day can be very healthy. Healthy? Yes, very healthy indeed! I have written an article about 'The Benefits of Red Wine for Men' (http://tinyurl.com/dhesq5), but limited consumption of Champagne is healthy for both men and women!
About two thousand years ago various Frenchs monks - who developed and improved the Champagne production process - already had proof for the health effects of Champagne. Mireille Guilliano who is the former CEO of Clicquot, Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin) and author of the #1 bestseller French Women Don't Get Fat (http://tinyurl.com/y9a4fzd), believes that many of Champagne's health benefits are due to its trace minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, and lithium (a natural mood regulator).
In 2007 researchers from the University of Reading in the UK suggested that two flutes of Champagne per day may be good for your heart, brain and blood circulation. They also found that drinking Champagne everyday (in moderation, of course) improves the way blood vessels function.
According to their study, Champagne increases the availability of nitric oxide (a molecule which controls blood pressure). It is able to do this because it contains polyphenols, plant chemicals from both red and white grapes used in the production of Champagne. So when you drink Champagne, the polyphenols are absorbed into the circulation where they cast their magic on our vascular system (slowing down the removal of nitric oxide from the blood). With higher levels of nitric oxide in the body, the blood flow is increased and it helps to decrease both blood pressure and the likelihood of blood clots.
The study also concluded that Champagne may help protect the brain from the injuries common with Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers, and stroke. Their discovery was that the group of neuron cells penetrated with Champagne extracts demonstrated a significant amount of protection against damage, while the group of neuron cells left alone was not able to fight off destruction. The reason for this, they concluded, was that caffeic acid and tyrosol, antioxidants found in polyphenols, contain anti-inflammatory characteristics. This keeps them from responding to injury and damage. Caffeic acid and tyrosol also possess the ability to remove toxic chemicals, expunging them from a persons body. Both of these factors work together to help Champagne top off our well being.
These findings have now led to further investigation of Champagnes influence on health and human lifespan, with a specific interest on its influence over aging. In the past, Champagne has always been thought of a drink you want in hand during times of glee. A spirit with a sparkling personality, Champagne seemed to find itself permanently fermented in a celebratory role. But, as more and more research is performed, Champagne has a chance to turn over a new leaf in medical science. With members of the health and science community raising its rank, Champagne is the new wine champion!
What kind of Champagne to drink? The best is the original French Champagne. However, Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava and method champagnoise from countries like France, South Africa and Australia also have a healthy impact on your body.
How much to drink? When it comes to Champagne a maximum of two glasses (125ml each) is advised. Drinking too much of any form of alcoholic drink is bad for you - according to the Foods Standards Agency and various scientific studies, women can drink up to three units of alcohol a day and men up to four without a significant risk to their health. A unit is half a pint of standard strength beer or lager, a 25ml measure of spirit or a 125ml glass of wine. Now most bars and restaurants serve it in much larger glasses, so you better estimate your own intake!
The possible side-effects of Champagne. The feeling of light-headedness when drinking Champagne is because the bubbles mean you both inhale and drink alcohol. It may also be absorbed more quickly because the bubbles help the alcohol enter the blood. Champagne bubbles, together with the alcohol, can weaken the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, which could lead to reflux and heartburn. Especially when drinking more than two glasses of Champagne you could suffer from this possible side effect.
The calories. With our increased focus on how many calories we consume per day, our focus on liquid intake is often forgotten. The calories of a glass of champagne are 93 per 125ml glass. Compared to: white wine calories = 93 per 125ml glass / red wine calories = 85 per 125ml glass / Beer = 170 per pint.
When you celebrate any kind of occassion with a glass of cool Champagne, you can have a very healthy toast! Cheers!
"Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector. It encourages a man to be expansive, even reckless, while lie detectors are only a challenge to tell lies successfully. - Graham Greene
Thanks, warm regards & success,
Patrick
Patrick W. Driessen. All rights reserved.
