Booze on the Beach Can Boost Women’s Health
Research from Spain and the UK indicates that wine and sunlight are two keys to improving health and women — good news for those of us who like both!
On wine…
"The data showed that, in comparison with the baseline period, consumption of both red and white wines increased serum [blood] HDL cholesterol (often called ‘good’ cholesterol), which suggests a cardio-protective effect," said the report in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
"Similarly, serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (both markers of chronic inflammation), decreased significantly after both wine ingestion periods," the authors wrote.
On sunlight…
"The purpose of the study was to see if there was a correlation between vitamin D levels and indicators of aging," said co-researcher Jeffrey P. Gardner, a professor at the Center of Human Development and Aging at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
In addition to measuring blood levels of inflammation-linked molecules such as C-reactive protein, the researchers also measured the length of sections of the women’s DNA called telomeres.
"Other people’s work indicated that telomeres were bioindicators of aging, more than a person’s chronological age," Gardner said.
Longer telomeres indicate low levels of inflammation, he explained.
Sure enough, the data indicated that higher levels of circulating vitamin D was associated with longer telomere length. Women with the lowest concentration of vitamin C and highest concentration of C-reactive protein had telomeres short enough to indicate about 7.6 more years of aging than women with the highest vitamin D and lowest C-reactive protein levels.
"Optimal vitamin D status may provide a benefit during the aging process," the researchers concluded, with additional trials needed to prove the point.
The catch: This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for healthy and safe drinking and sun exposure. Remember that a drink a day is okay for most people, but too much alcohol carries major health risks, including a number of cancers. The same is true for overexposure to the sun. Be smart, drink in moderation, and use sunscreen daily.
Related LW Articles:
- Drink Up to Prevent Heart Attack
- “Rays” Your Sun Awareness With This Quiz
- May 7 Is Melanoma Monday
- What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer
Tags: womens health, woman, health, sunlight, sun exposure, wine consumption, alcohol consumption, drinking, health benefits of wine, health benefits of sunlight
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POSTED IN: Aging, Alcohol and drinking, Diet, Health, Heart Health, New research, Prevention, Wellness, Women's Issues
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