A Glass of Wine A Day....

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” ― Ernest Hemingway

 The influence of wine in ancient Greece is significant, not only to the Greek wine industry but to the development of almost all European wine regions and to the history of wine itself. The importance of viticulture in ancient Greek society is evident in a quote from the Greek historian Thucydides: 

"The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarian when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine"

Apart from its significance as a trade commodity, wine has historically been served in important religious, social and medical purposes in Greek society. The "feast of the wine" was a festival in Mycenaean Greece celebrating the "month of the new wine. The medicinal use of wine was frequently studied by the Greeks, including Hippocrates, who did extensive research on the topic. He used wine as a cure for fevers, to ease convalescence and as an antiseptic. 

In this post I will be sharing some of the health benefits of wine. Nearly all research into the positive medical benefits of wine consumption make a distinction between moderate consumption, heavy and binge drinking. What constitutes a moderate, healthy level of consumption will vary by individual according to age, gender, genetics, weight and body stature. Women, in general, tend to absorb alcohol quicker than men due to their lower body water content, so their moderate levels of consumption tend to be lower than a male of equal age. Some experts define "moderate consumption" less than one 5-US-fluid-ounce (150 ml- also classified as 1-2 units) glass of wine per day for women and two glasses per day for men.

Moderate wine consumption can help towards the following benefits:

• 
  
• Promotes Longevity
• Reduces Heart-Attack Risk
• Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
• Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes  
• Lowers Risk of Stroke
• Cuts Risk of Cataracts
• Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer
• Slows Brain Decline

On the other hand too much wine consumption can result in the following:

• Alcoholism
• Sleep Deficiency
• Heart Disease
• Obesity
• Fertility
• Pancreatitis

How many units are you really drinking?

Use this guide to see how many units of alcohol are in a small 150 ml glass of wine. Be aware that when you order a glass of wine in a bar or restaurant you will often be served a measure larger than 125ml.

• 9% alcohol by volume = 1 unit
• 10% abv = 1.25 units
• 11% abv = 1.375 units  
• 12% abv = 1.5 units
• 13% abv = 1.625 units
• 14% abv = 1.75 units