Is Red Wine Is Good for the belly

Is Red Wine Is Good for the belly 

THE FACTS

 When it comes to the health-promoting effects of red wine, its potential to protect against heart disease tends to get all the attention. But there are some who see it as a sort of probiotic delivery system, capable of benefiting the stomach as well.

Supplements and foods with probiotics — live micro-organisms that support digestive health — have become hugely popular. While probiotics are increasingly added to a variety of foods, some contain them naturally, especially fermented products like yogurt and wine.

Most doctors, of course, would never recommend drinking solely to aid digestive health. But researchers have wondered whether a boost in healthy bacteria may be a secondary benefit of red wine.

In studies on animals, for example, scientists have found that components of red wine seem to improve intestinal health, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. Research on human subjects is limited. But one recent study that examined the claim was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In it, a small number of healthy adults were instructed to avoid all alcohol for two weeks — a so-called washout period.

Then they went through three separate phases of 20 days each. In one, the subjects drank red wine, about a cup daily. In another, they drank the same amount of red wine daily, but this time with the alcohol removed. In the third, they drank up to 100 milliliters a day of gin each day.

In the end, the researchers found that both types of red wine produced improvements in the bacterial composition of the gut, lowered blood pressure and reduced levels of a protein associated with inflammation. Slight improvements in gut flora were seen among gin drinkers, but the effects in the wine drinkers were much more pronounced.

According to research, red wine may improve digestive health.

Source: nytimes.com

Zorba' dance helps GREEK heart patients

Greek scientists have found getting heart failure patients up dancing traditional 'Zorba' dances improves their strength and endurance. Zorba is a Greek name meaning 'Live Each Day'. 

Zorba' dance helps heart patients

Traditional Greek dancing has been recommended as a life-enhancing treatment for older people with heart patients. traditional Greek dancing can have major health benefits. Taking it up allowed elderly patients who had suffered chronic heart failure to jump higher than their sedentary counterparts, a study found. The moves strengthened the legs of the participants, who had an average age of 73, allowing them to walk faster and further as well.

According to the Researcher Zacharias Vordos, from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, said: "Greek dancing is an important part of weddings and other celebrations, and is popular among older people.

"We believed dancing would increase the attractiveness of rehabilitation programmes for patients with chronic heart failure. This was the first study to assess the impact of traditional Greek dancing on jumping ability.

"Patients who participated in Greek dancing jumped higher at the end of the training programme, probably because they had stronger leg muscles."

The study include the averaged aged of 73 years old, in total of 40 Greek patients with chronic heart failure who were randomly assigned for the three months Greek dancing rehabilitation programme or continue their usual sedentary lifestyle. Exercise training took place at three municipal gyms, and consisted of three 40 to 65 minute weekly classes. 

At the beginning of the study, the researchers tested the participants' jumping ability, measuring both height and the speed. Measurements were also taken of leg muscle strength and endurance was assessed with a six-minute walking test.
After three months, the patients who learned Greek dancing were able to jump 10 per cent higher and six per cent faster than the sedentary patients.
They also had stronger legs and could walk further.
Greek dancing may also benefit the heart, Vordos added.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is too weak to pump blood efficiently around the body.

Source: APP