Mediterranean Diet - Wine and Exercise
The Mediterranean diet recommends a glass of wine a day. Remember that a serving of wine is about 4 ounces while the glass you get in a restaurant can be up to 8-10 ounces. If you are using the Mediterranean diet to help with weight loss you can eliminate drinking alcohol to help reduce the amount of calories you consume in a day.
Wine is traditionally drunk with meals, never recreationally, in Mediterranean countries. There are many studies of the health benefits of drinking red wine in moderation. If you are at risk for alcohol-related problems, or pregnant, you should forgo wine and replace it with fruits and vegetables.
Along with eating well and enjoying a daily glass of wine, the Mediterranean diet also encourages daily exercise. Exercise may reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce blood cholesterol as well as help fight depression. It can also help you have a better night's sleep and have a positive attitude. Steve has some great exercise ideas and if you are new to exercise there is plenty of information to help you get started.
Read more:
The Mediterranean Diet - Healthy Fats
The Mediterranean Diet - Fruits and Veggies
The Mediterranean Diet - Grains and Legumes
The Mediterranean Diet - Poultry and Fish
The Mediterranean Diet - Dairy and Eggs
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Posted by: Family Nutritionist | Jul 1, 2008 10:20:08 AM
Did you see that new Israeli study where they used a non-alcoholic extract of the antioxidants in red wine? It counteracted the oxidizing chemicals in grilled meat -- right in the stomachs of the rats they fed it to.
Maybe the skins, stems, and seeds (sources of the antioxidants) are the most beneficial parts of the grape.
Posted by: Steve Parker, M.D. | May 8, 2008 7:04:45 PM
I'm always glad to see comments on the Mediterranean diet, of which alcohol is common component. You are right that wine is the alcohol type associated with the healthy traditional Mediterranean diet - as contrasted with beer and hard liquor. I hope someday we can prove that grape juice is just as beneficial but without the risks of alcohol.
I covered the benficial and adverse effects of alcholol recently at my healthy lifestyle blog, for those interested:
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=30
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=31
-Steve Parker, M.D.
