A glass or two of red contains a compound called resveratrol. The flavonol called resveratol is a protective antioxidant. Free radicals are agents that affect chemical reactions in the body; they can cause cell damage resulting in cancer and other problems such as high blood pressure. Resveratol is a protective antioxidant protects your arteries against the damage done by free radicals and also help to prevent hardening of your arteries.

Flavonol also helps you by preventing your platelets from clumping up together; a glass of red wine helps your body to prevent these nasty problems by keeping your blood smoothly flowing through your arteries.

Now how much red wine is too much?

Well a glass or two a day is good for most people, except those with pre-existing health problems that prohibit the consumption of alcohol. So which red wine is best? The darker varieties are best as they are higher in the resveratrol.

Now what about that cheese?

When cheese is being made peptides are freed from the milk proteins. Peptides, can help to control your blood pressure by running interference with the enzymes that convert angiotensin. Angiotensin can raise your blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels.

You can stop the reaction that forces your blood pressure up by taking in the other peptides – those found in fermented milk products like cheese. Eating a small wedge of cheese blocks the enzyme that creates angiotensin, helps your arteries to stay relaxed, and keeps your blood pressure down.

So do yourself a favor, the next time you’re wound up from the stresses of the day, relax with a nice glass of red wine and a few bites of a tasty cheese. Your body will thank you for it.

It’s Angeline, a Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley.  Priced at around $12-15, it’s very soft and is compatible with both beef and poultry.  Try it.