What's the best beverage to serve with red meat? The results of a recent study confirm that red wine is an excellent choice.

Scientists in Israel recently announced their findings that beneficial compounds in red wine offer protection against toxins released during the digestion of fat in red meat. The study, which appeared in the June 11 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, reinforces the benefits of consuming wine and other foods rich in polyphenols.

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants found in a wide variety of plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. A particularly potent polyphenol, known as resveratrol, is found primarily in red wine and grape skins.

Over the past two decades, resveratrol has proved to have a wide range of beneficial effects on the human body. In a recent study conducted by the National Institute on Aging, a team of international researchers discovered that resveratrol improves health and increases longevity, even among elderly, overweight mice.

A major finding of the study, published in the July issue of the scientific journal Cell Metabolism, is that resveratrol prevented age-related and obesity-related deterioration of cardiovascular health. In treated mice, the compound effectively reduced inflammation around the heart and produced significant reductions in cholesterol levels.

In addition to improved heart health, the researchers noted positive effects on other age-related conditions. Elderly mice treated with resveratrol had better bone health and strength, reduced cataract formation, and better balance and coordination.

The resveratrol in red wine may also play a role in the prevention of breast cancer, according to the results of a preliminary study published in the July issue of Cancer Prevention Research. University of Nebraska researchers found that the plant compound can block the first step in the biochemical pathway leading to estrogen-related breast cancer.

Resveratrol appears to work by activating an enzyme known as quinine reductase, which renders cancer-causing estrogens harmless. The cancer-protective effects were seen with low doses of resveratrol: the amount typically provided by just a single glass of red wine.

Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that drinking red wine might significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer, as well. In animal studies, treatment with resveratrol resulted in an 87 percent reduction in risk.

Previous research has confirmed that the resveratrol and other polyphenols in red wine appear to offer protection against disease-causing bacteria, including those that cause a number of serious food-borne illnesses. Scientists at the University of Missouri found that red wine can inhibit Helicobacter pylori, the bacterial species responsible for the majority of stomach ulcers among Americans.

Other studies have demonstrated that the resveratrol in wine can help reduce the occurrence of dental cavities and upper respiratory tract infections by destroying harmful bacteria in the mouth. Red wine has been shown to reduce the growth of several strains of streptococci bacteria responsible for tooth decay and sore throats.

While resveratrol and other polyphenols are toxic to disease-causing bacteria, they don't appear to harm beneficial bacteria in the human body, including probiotic organisms that are natural inhabitants of the gut. Probiotic bacteria play important roles in digestion and proper immune function.

While many alcoholic beverages are known to suppress the immune system, studies conducted at the University of Florida demonstrated that red wine does not appear to interfere with immune function. The researchers found that while mice drinking ethanol had significant reductions in disease-fighting white blood cells, those drinking red wine maintained normal immunity and showed no change in white blood cell counts.

Although a single glass of red wine may offer dozens of potential health benefits, consuming wine — or any other type of alcohol — beyond the point of moderation can be hazardous to your health. Drinking in excess contributes to a host of medical problems, including accident-related injuries, obesity, liver disease and cognitive decline.

For women, moderate consumption is considered to be no more than one glass of wine daily. Men are advised to limit consumption to a maximum of two glasses of wine each day. Pregnant women and individuals with a history of alcohol abuse should steer clear of wine altogether.

If you're a not a wine drinker, you can find resveratrol in a number of non-alcoholic products, including nutritional supplements, red grapes, raspberries and peanuts. For folks who enjoy a glass of red wine on occasion, there's more reason than ever to drink a toast to your good health.

Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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