Spotlight: Wine, Benefits & Risks

Wine can be both beneficial and risky to women's health.
Image: Shutterstock

Like many people, I have a soft spot for wine. It’s one of those flavors that took some time to grow on me, and now that it has, there’s not anything quite like it. Of course, I don’t like every wine I taste; I prefer reds that are smooth yet robust, and I like my whites to be slightly sweet and fruity.

Nowhere close to being an expert on the matter, I found myself wondering what exactly the benefits of drinking wine were and where they cut off. For years, I’ve been aware of the fact that a glass of red wine each night can be beneficial. But I’ve never looked into the matter further than that. I’ve never been a big drinker, and I always just assumed I didn’t need to worry about any of those problems.

I still find myself in a position where I’m not overly concerned about my alcohol consumption, but every once in a while I decide that instead of one glass of wine, I’d like to have two—and even rarer yet, three. What then? At what point do the benefits cease and the risks begin?

Wine provides valuable antioxidants.
Image: Shutterstock

For men, there are benefits to having up to two drinks per day. For women, benefits last up to one drink. What’s in a drink? Twelve ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of red or white wine, or 1.5 ounces (one shot) of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Alcohol in general can raise the “good” cholesterol (HDL) in our bodies and thin our blood. Wine also contains phytochemicals that act as antioxidants and help prevent cellular damage in our bodies. This can prevent blood clotting, plaque formation, and potentially promotes cardiovascular health and helps fight cancer. Both red and white wine contain these non-alcoholic phytochemicals, but red has a much greater concentration compared to white.

However, it’s not all good with wine. Sometimes the benefits aren’t as great as the risks and consequences. Some conditions are worsened by wine, which is why physicians sometimes recommend that patients not drink alcohol. Wine can raise triglyceride levels, which can be a problem for those who already have high levels—such as diabetics. Wine is also full of empty calories and can prompt weight gain, especially if it’s enjoyed in excess.

My personal problem with drinking wine is that it worsens my migraines. It doesn’t always happen, which is why I sometimes enjoy a glass or two. But other times, it sets off a headache—which can last for hours or even days at a time. This is due to the sulfites contained in wine (red more than white).

Alcohol can raise estrogen levels.
Image: Susan G. Komen

Some alcohol can also raise estrogen levels and can possibly increase tumor progression for women with estrogen positive breast cancer. Even staying under the limit of one drink per day could increase the risk for breast cancer. At this point, researchers still say the health benefits outweigh the risks for just one drink—but past that, the risk goes up with every drink. I think I’ll resist the urge for that second drink from now on.

A Beautiful Pregnancy: Tips and Suggestions

Kate Middleton
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Pregnancy changes a lot of things in women’s bodies. Hair and nails begin growing faster, along with the belly and breasts. Pregnant women are often described as having a “healthy glow,” and other physiological changes take place as well.

Because women’s bodies have to work so hard during pregnancy, it’s important to remember to allow for some pampering as well. That glowing look that we see on people like Kate Middleton, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Natalie Portman comes with its fair share of pampering—you can bet those ladies allow themselves to indulge sometimes. So why shouldn’t the average working woman do the same?

Tip #1: Moisturize skin everyday (be sure to use an all-natural moisturizer to avoid unhealthy chemicals!) and exfoliate one to two times per week. This will keep skin “glowing” and prevent splotches from showing up.  That healthy “glow” comes from the increased blood flow that comes with pregnancy.

Lauren Santo Domingo
Image: Claiborne Swanson Frank

Tip #2: Wear sunscreen. Not only will this protect baby from powerful UV rays, but it will also help prevent sunburns. Skin will be more sensitive during pregnancy, which means that even those who don’t often burn might still be at risk.

Tip #3: Enjoy your thicker, faster growing hair. Hair and nails will grow much faster and thicker than normal. Enjoy it while it lasts! Consider a new haircut or color (though if you dye your hair be sure to use vegetable-based dyes or only highlight).

Tip #4: Invest in a good bra. Your breasts will grow during pregnancy, and it will be much more comfortable for you if you invest in a new, supportive bra. Ideally, it should be well fitted and should keep your breasts from resting on top of your belly.

Natalie Portman
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com 

Tip #5: Get a massage. This is one of the most relaxing things you can do during pregnancy. However, be sure that your massage is by a trained massage therapist with a certification in pregnancy massage. Special equipment should be used to prevent pressure on the belly, and some essential oils and herbal body rubs should be avoided.

Tip #6: Have your nails done. Pedicures and manicures are a great way to get a little relaxation in. Be sure that tools are properly sterilized and there is ventilation to reduce toxic fumes. Just keep in mind that your nails are growing more quickly now, so consider light or clear colors that will be less noticeable when they grow out.

 Tip #7: Practice Prenatal Yoga. Doing so will strengthen, stretch, and relax your body.  It can also help keep energy levels up and encourages breathing techniques. Prenatal Yoga includes only poses that are appropriate and safe for every stage of pregnancy, from pre-conception to delivery.

Can Soda Cause Depression?

Soda and other sugary drinks may contribute to depression risk.
Image: dgirlp via Flickr CC

According to a recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), drinking soda and other sugary drinks may put you at a higher risk for developing depression. What’s more is that if that drink is flavored with artificial sweetener, the risk is even higher. The study, which has been ongoing since 1995, surveyed the drink consumption of over 250,000 people between the ages of 50 and 71.

Participants in the study who drank 4+ sodas per day
were 30% more likely to have developed depression.
Image: Shutterstock

After gathering data on the participants’ drinking habits from 1995 until 1996, researchers waited a decade and then contacted those surveyed again. They asked whether participants had been diagnosed with depression since the year 2000. The findings, which won’t be officially published by the American Academy of Neurology until mid-March, showed that participants who drank four or more cans of soda per day had a 30 percent increased likelihood of developing depression. Those who drank unsweetened coffee for a boost rather than soda were 10 percent less likely to have developed depression.

"Our research suggests that cutting out or down on sweetened diet drinks or replacing them with unsweetened coffee may naturally help lower your depression risk," said Honglei Chen, lead researcher for the study. "More research is needed to confirm these findings, and people with depression should continue to take depression medications prescribed by their doctors."

Unsweetened coffee may lower depression risk.
Image: Christian Scholz via Flickr CC

Aside from the fact that sugar has been linked to obesity (and therefore the hardening of arteries and heart disease), increased “bad” cholesterol, reduced “good” cholesterol, tooth decay, gum disease, hyperactivity, and mood swings—to name a few—this indication that it may also contribute to depression is just one more reason to limit our intake of refined sugar and sweeteners.

While this study is alarming, it should also be taken with a grain of salt. It’s likely that those who were diagnosed with depression were also struggling with other problems as well. Four cans of soda or more per day almost certainly leads to obesity and other health problems, which in turn affect stress levels and brain health. Those who had increased chances for developing depression were drinking sodas in excess and probably weren't the most health conscious about what they put into their bodies.

Don’t feel too guilty about having a soda once in a while. If you normally eat healthy and are aware of what's going into your body, indulging at times is okay. It’s when it becomes a regular, large part of your diet that it becomes a health concern—in more than one way. But I think you already knew that.

Foods That Reduce Stress

If you’re like me, you get hungry when you’re stressed out. And with how much I’ve let stress pile on in the past, it’s quite literally a miracle that the pounds didn’t also pound on. I go for the chocolate, particularly hot chocolate, cookies, and sugary coffee drinks when I feel the need to relax a little. And while some studies have shown that some dark chocolate can be good for you, I don’t think they meant in the amount I want to consume it in.

Lots of people go for sugary snacks when stressed, myself included.
Image from cookingclassy.com

My main concern isn’t the chocolate itself, anyhow. It’s the sugar that it comes loaded with—and which can actually exacerbate stress, gives me headaches, and is overall a bad thing to have too much of. In fact, many “fast,” “easy,” and “convenient” foods that people turn to when eating out of stress are incredibly unhealthy, the eating of which can contribute to stress levels.

Since I like to munch on something when I’m stressed or working a lot, I try to surround myself with healthy snacks. And I was super excited when I found this list of foods that can actually help reduce stress levels. Who knew I’d be able to use my snacking habit to combat stress in a healthy way? Consider eating these foods when you’re stressed (or when you want to prevent stress):

The Vitamin C in oranges could help reduce stress.
Image: Shutterstock

Oranges—Vitamin C can reduce stress and regulate blood pressure and cortisol levels, which often rise when you’re stressed. It also keeps your immune system healthy so you don’t get sick, something I have a tendency to do when stressed.

Sweet Potatoes—Besides being one of my favorite foods ever, sweet potatoes make me feel like I’m eating sweets and carbs when really I’m packing my body with vitamins, betacarotene, and fiber.

Dried Apricots—These delicious little guys are full of magnesium, a natural muscle relaxer and stress-reducer (just don’t eat too many, since they’re pretty sugary).

Almonds, Pistachios & Walnuts—Almonds have high levels of B and E vitamins, and pistachios and Walnuts have been found to reduce blood pressure.

Turkey—L-tryptophan, an amino acid, is found in turkey. It tells the body to release serotonin, which is a natural mood booster and relaxer.

Green vegetables are full of stress-reducing vitamins.
Image: Shutterstock

Spinach—Like apricots, spinach is packed with magnesium. If you don’t get enough magnesium, it can trigger migraines and fatigue, both bound to increase stress levels. So eat up!

Salmon—I was never a huge fish fan, but I do like Salmon. That’s a good thing, since it’s full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight heart disease and regulate stress hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline.

Avocados—Avocados are a great source of monosaturated fats and potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. It can also prevent symptoms of stress like muscle twitches and spasms.

Green Vegetables—Any dark green vegetable, such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and beans, is full of vitamins. When we get stressed out, our bodies are sapped of vitamins and energy. Remembering to eat healthy greens when stressed can go miles in keeping stress under control.