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Breathe more easily with white wine
26 August 2005
So we were about to sit down for our evening meal and my daily glass of wine, when Lara said...
'White?'
'Yes,' I declared. 'It's time for a change. And anyway, I've found out something about white wine.'
'Right...'
'It's quite interesting, actually... it's really good for your lungs.'
'Oh no, Daddy,' said my eldest, clamping his hands to his ears.
'Not at the dinner table,' said Lara.
'But'
'Put it into one of your letters,' she said. 'They'll appreciate it more than your preschool children right now'.
And so yet again, my dear reader, I turn to you for support...
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Can white wine help your lungs?
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As you know, I'm a big advocate of red wine. It thins the blood and wards off the clots that can cause heart attacks.
It's also crammed full of antioxidants that tackle the evil little pests they call 'free radicals'...the cancer culprits.
This is why red wine gets all the good press.
But hold on there a second...
A study at the University at Buffalo in the USA has found that drinking white wine appears to be linked to better lung function.
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After testing 1,555 New Yorkers, research leader, Dr Holger Schunemann said: 'Red wine in moderation has been shown to be beneficial for the heart, but in this case the relationship was stronger for white wine.'
They reckon this is down to those glorious antioxidants that help wine retain its unique flavour.
Now I've got that off my chest, so to speak, I've got a little recipe that is going to have you breathing like an 18 year old again...
Come into my kitchen...
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What they found out in Sherwood Forest
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Some researchers at Nottingham University have found out that vitamin C and magnesium are good for your lungs.
This is an important discovery.
You see our lungs deteriorate with age (yes ALL of us - smokers and non-smokers alike), leaving us vulnerable to bronchitis and chronic pulmonary disease.
Not only that, but modern urban living is filling our lungs with enough grime to give even the hardiest smoker a head-rush.
But this new research could be a welcome beacon of light.
The Nottingham researchers tested a group of volunteers in 1991 and again in 2000. They were questioned on smoking, diet and lifestyle.
Tricia McKeever, who led the study, told Reuters her
conclusion:
'High vitamin C and magnesium intake are associated with higher levels of lung function.'
So obviously one way to protect your lungs is to eat a diet high in vitamin C.
And I know exactly how to get that vitamin C in a daily superdose...
That's right - with a juicer.
But before you go crazy on the oranges, there's something else you need
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to add to fully arm your lungs against the ravages of life.
And that's a little thing called a 'phytochemical' I'll explain all about them in a moment...
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Protect your lungs with broccoli
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Have you ever heard of phytochemicals?
They are the natural, biologically active compounds in plants and fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes, seeds, soy, and tea.
These phytochemicals have powerful antioxidant effects, believed to protect molecules in your body from oxidation when they are exposed to free radicals.
In other words, they can help protect you against cancer.
They come in a variety of types, but I'll explain the top three:
- First, you've got your Terpenes (carotenoids or
liminoids). These are found in grains, soy products,
citrus fruits, green foods, oranges pink grapefruit,
spinach, tomatoes and citrus fruit peels. They help
protect your lung tissue. |
- Secondly, Thiols (Glucosinolates, Sulforaphane, Allylic
sulfides). These are found in broccoli, cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, cauliflower, turnips and radishes. They act as
natural antibiotics, against viruses, bacteria and
parasites...and produce enzymes that deal with
carcinogens.
- Thirdly, your Phenols (Flavanoids, Flavonals or Isoflavones). These are found in berries, grapes, grapefruit, citrus, soybeans, artichokes, apples, grape seed, green tea, black tea and wine. They prevent cancer, heart attacks and strokes. What's more, they enhance the effects of vitamin C.
Pretty powerful things, aren't they?
So let's get some into your system...with a little bit of Ray-style juicing.
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My lung-booster special
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You know how I love to juice as a short cut to getting all the nutrients I need in one go.
Well here's a recipe that could help protect your lung tissues by injecting you with all the basic substances I've just talked about.
It's the ultimate combination of vitamin C, magnesium and
phytochemicals...and it tastes great.
1. Take an unpeeled pear and an unpeeled apple.
2. Put them through a juicer, along with an unpeeled
kiwi fruit and a few florets of broccoli and a handful
of watercress.
3. Juice and then mix with a carton of soya yoghurt.
It may sound like an odd concoction, but there's science behind it.
As I've mentioned in earlier letters, kiwi fruit has about as much vitamin C as three or four oranges, so there's your first bit of lung protection.
There's magnesium in yoghurt, while the broccoli and watercress are packed with phytochemicals.
In fact, the whole drink is a super-charged shot of carotenoids, beta-cartotene, iron, sulphur, vitamin e and protein.
And if you're still a little thirsty after this cocktail, then you can always relax with a glass of white wine.
It's hard work this good living, isn't it?
Enjoy!
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter
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