Why red wine is good for health

Researchers now identified one of the molecular pathways that resveratrol - component of grapes and red wine - uses to reduce "bad cholesterol," heart disease and some types of cancer.

Download Everybody has heard that red wine is good for health. But, no researchers have pinpointed what it does.

Researchers now identified one of the molecular pathways that resveratrol – component of grapes and red wine – uses to reduce “bad cholesterol,” heart disease and some types of cancer.

Also found in blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts and pistachios, resveratrol is associated with beneficial health effects in aging, inflammation and metabolism.

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) found that resveratrol controls the body’s inflammatory response as a binding partner with the estrogen receptor without stimulating estrogenic cell proliferation, which is good news for its possible use as a model for drug design.

Kendall Nettles, a TSRI associate professor who led the study, said estrogen has beneficial effects on conditions like diabetes and obesity but may increase cancer risk.

In the new study, Nettles, Jerome C. Nwachukwu, the first author of the study and a research associates in the Nettles laboratory, and their colleagues found that resveratrol is an effective inhibitor of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory protein that is part of the immune system (although IL-6 can be anti-inflammatory during exercise). High levels of IL-6 are also associated with poor breast cancer patient survival.

According to the study, resveratrol regulates IL-6 without stimulating cell proliferation by altering a number of co-regulators of the estrogen receptor.

The study has been published in the online journal eLife.

By

Agency

Copyrighted 2014 © Ethan Windsor XII

10 Foods That Boost Your Libido [ And 3 That Kill It ]

 01. Black Raspberries

Both the berries and the seeds will transform your mind-set for getting in the mood, so pop in a handful a day to keep bedroom boredom at bay. "This phytochemical-rich food enhances both libido and sexual endurance," say Drs. Anna Maria and Brian Clement, authors of 7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality and directors of Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. Consume 10 black raspberries or a tablespoon of seeds a few hours before getting busy.

 02. Broccoli

Raw, sautéed, or cooked, toss this vegetable in with your salad or alongside your steak for a bedroom boost. "I suggest it here because of the high vitamin C content," says Keri Glassman, registered dietitian and author of The New You (and Improved) Diet. "Vitamin C aids in blood circulation to organs and has also been associated with an improved female libido." If you're going to pick a veggie at dinner anyway, may as well kill two birds with one sprout and make it this one.

 03. Cloves

This sex superfood is versatile when it comes to cooking: it can be brewed in hot apple cider, infused in your favorite exotic dish, or added to a chai tea latte. Just make sure to share it with your guy, too. "In India, cloves have been used to treat male sexual dysfunction for centuries," says Glassman. Research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine agrees, discovering that clove extracts produced an increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats. "Cloves are also used to rid bad breath, which can't hurt your kissing skills either," says Glassman, who also suggests using powdered cloves in Mexican food. Add a little cumin and cinnamon and you've got a tasty, multifaceted aphrodisiac.

 04. Figs

Want to be completely irresistible the next time your guy sees you? There's a simple food solution that will have you two acting like teenagers again: Figs. "They're considered excellent stimulants of fertility and enhance the secretion of pheromones," say Drs. Clement. Feast on up to five figs before getting it on and find out for yourself.

 05. Watermelon

Chocolate has the reputation of being the age-old aphrodisiac for the sweet lover, but researchers at the University of Guelph in Canada found that this is most likely just a mirage. Though ingredients like phenylethylamine in chocolate may boost serotonin and endorphin levels, there is no link between chocolate and improve sexual performance or arousal. So if you're really looking for a sweet libido-booster, stick to a slice of watermelon. Although it's 92 percent water, that remaining 8 percent of fruit is jam-packed with vital nutrients for sexual health. Researchers at the Texas A&M Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center reported finding in 2008 that watermelon has ingredients that delivered Viagra-like effects to the human body's blood vessels and could even aid in increasing libido. "Watermelon contains a phytonutrient called citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body, which relax blood vessels in the same way a medicine like Viagra does," say Drs. Clement.

 06. Eggs

Poached, scrambled, fried, deviled. No matter how you make them, a couple of eggs will rev you up after a long day so you can go the distance in the dark. "Eggs are high in protein, which is a source of stamina, and they're also low in calories," Glassman says. "In addition, they're a good source for an amino acid L-arginine, which has been shown effective in treating types of heart ailments and erectile dysfunction.

 07. Ginseng

Researchers at the University of Hawaii found that women who took a ginseng supplement significantly upped their libido in a month, and 68 percent also said their overall sex life improved dramatically. "Add ginseng into your diet or try one of the many ginseng teas available," Glassman says. "Just don't jump at the sight of ginseng, though. Many energy drinks that claim to have ginseng in them also contain chemicals and tons of sugar, and there's nothing sexy about that."

 08. Saffron

Though on the pricey side, this spice is a treat for your stomach and sex life. Researchers at the University of Guelph have found that saffron can improve sexual performance. To use, Glassman suggests soaking the threads in hot liquid for 15 minutes then adding to any grain like rice, quinoa, or barley -- or use it in a soup or stew.

 09. Lettuce

A small salad with oil and vinegar as dressing will help your waistline and rev your sex drive. "Iceberg lettuce contains an opiate that helps to activate sex hormones," say Drs. Clement. Nosh on a bowl at dinner and you'll be ready to go by the time you turn in for the night.

 10. Ginger

"King Henry VII and the ancient Asians were astute when using ginger for medicinal purposes," say Drs. Clement. "In the 21st century, those of us who know about botanical-ceuticals know that ginger helps circulation temperature adjustment, mucoid detoxification (mucus-like residue that can coat your GI tract) and also a libido enhancer." Whether raw, in supplement form, or added to your favorite recipe or drink, ginger also lends itself to defense against winter's hard cold and flu season. Because trying to get frisky with a runny nose never ends well.

 01. Libido Killer : Oysters !!!

Oysters have been dubbed as the king of libido boosters, but don't buy into all the hype. "Oysters are a well-known source of zinc, which plays a central role in the creation of hormones and clitoris sensitivity, but they are also a toxic food," Drs. Clement say. "Oysters and other shellfish can absorb the toxins and parasites in the ocean, which can often outweigh the benefits of zinc." Skip the seafood and chow down on spinach for a similar low-calorie, high-zinc option.

02. Libido Killer : Processed Baked Goods !!!

Yet another reason to avoid sugar-loaded treats: They will zap your sex drive. "Baked goods contain saturated trans fats that wreak havoc on human cells, including the immune system," say Drs. Clement. "They surround the cells, coagulating them so that vital food glucose can't be absorbed and remains in the blood, raising blood sugar and lowering libido. The fats also clog ventricles, reducing oxygen to sexual organs, and prevent the spleen from producing enough white blood cells, so eggs and sperm have difficulty multiplying." Yikes!

 03. Libido Killer : Dairy !!!

Ice cream and cream cheese addicts may want to switch to a lactose-free alternative once in a while. The Clements say that the lactic acid in dairy and oxygen-destroying elements can squash a libido at any level, so try to limit the creamy stuff to three times per week. But don't forget dairy's best benefit: Calcium. It's linked to cell and sexual health. When cells are healthy, they increase sensitivity for better circulation to genitalia, thus giving you more pleasure. Stock up on calcium-rich soymilk, leafy greens, sprouted beans, cabbage, broccoli, and wheatgrass juice.

Copyrighted 2014 © Ethan Windsor XII

10 Health Benefits of Having Sex

Let's state the obvious: Having sex is fun. But what might be less obvious is that it's also good for you -- mentally and physically. While it's something of a chicken or egg situation to determine the direction of causality -- "Do healthier people tend to have more sex or people who have more sex tend to be healthier?" says Jennifer Bass, head of information services for the Kingsley Institute, there are some studies that link better loving with better living. Read on for the perks for getting busy.

01. It's Time to Start Sexercising

While sex will never equal a kickboxing class or a session of strength training, the fact that you're getting some sort of a muscular workout is undeniable. The human body has over 600 muscles and during sex, "we're releasing and contracting all the muscles within the body," says Patti Britton, PhD, author of The Art of Sex Coaching and past president of the American Association for Sexuality Educators. Arms, butt, legs, core muscles -- they're all getting used. And while some positions have better toning payoffs than others, as long as you're putting some effort into it you'll be burning calories from start to (ahem) finish.

02. A Happier Mood

Having sex is definitely pleasurable on a physical level, but chemically it has been suggested to elevate mood and reduce depression. The surmised reason, believe it or not: Exposure to semen. A study done by the State University of New York controlled the length of a relationship, amount of sex, time elapsed since last sexual encounter, and use of oral contraceptives to show that women who never used condoms reported better moods and fewer depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts than those who used condoms. Why? One theory is that vaginal tissue is very absorptive, and semen contains a host of mood-elevating chemicals, like endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and prolactin. For women, sex is literally a jolt to your system, and if you're getting it on regularly you might be on cloud nine for quite a while.

03. A Stronger Immune System

Orange juice? Check. Flu shot? Check. Sexytime? Check! A study from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania indicated that people having sex one to two times a week had three times as much Immunoglobulin A (a major antibody) in their systems as those having no sex, infrequent sex (less than once a week), or -- a note to your nosy neighbors -- very frequent sex (3 times or more a week).

04. Glowing Skin

Forget your morning swipe of blush and overly expensive face serums. With increased blood circulation and oxygenation of the blood, a post-coital glow means a temporary brighter complexion. But there are longer-lasting beauty benefits of sex, too. An orgasm triggers a rush of endorphins and growth hormones, like DHEA, that help heal damage caused by the sun, smoking, and cortisol buildup, which is associated with the thinning of the skin. In fact, a Scottish study showed that people who have sex every other day look dramatically younger (up to seven to 12 years!) than their compatriots. If your crow's feet are a growing concern, make sure to get some alone time in with your guy -- your face will thank you.

05. Stress Relief

In 2010, Brazil's health minister recommended sex (along with other traditional forms of exercise) as a fix for the nation's high blood pressure problems, and he wasn't completely off the mark. Researchers from Scotland have found that people who were sexually active had lower blood pressure when engaged in stress-inducing tasks, such as public speaking, with those only having sex in the last two weeks charting the lowest number. "In part, it's the oxygenation of blood and the focusing of the mind away from negative stressors," explains Britton. "Sex has that magical quality of bringing you into the moment, especially at orgasm, which is a period of time that feels like animated suspension, where your mind and body both go off-grid."

06. More Zzz's

Don't take it personal if your guy starts snoring shortly after some quality time between the sheets. That intense relaxation you feel right after climax due to an oxytocin rush can actually make you doze off faster. Big meeting tomorrow? Include an evening romp on your list of prep work for the night before.

07. A Self-Esteem Boost

Those after-sex smiles on both your faces are signs of a fun night and also a job well done. "I think when people raise the potential of sexual expression, it boosts their self-esteem and gives them a sense of being attractive, desirable, proficient, and confident," says Britton. "And that carries over into all areas of life."

08. A Stronger Relationship

Here's a perk you'll both enjoy: increased intimacy. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina found that among 59 couples, those with more loving physical contact showed the highest amounts of oxytocin. Released both during sex and even while kissing, "oxytocin is the hormone that creates the urge to merge and bond," explains Britton. "There's a surge of it after sex and that's where the desire to cuddle and hold each other comes from."

"Solo sex, or sex with someone who you're not in love with can still be pleasurable, but neither fulfills the emotional needs to the extent that sex with someone you care about can," says Marta Meana, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and president of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research. So while you're still getting the release of oxytocin during masturbation, the pair-bonding aspect may manifest itself more in feelings of generosity toward others (e.g. , baking your girlfriends cookies), rather than impulses to settle down and start knitting baby booties.

09. Fast Relief from Aches and Pains

That runner's high you get after finishing your morning loop? Thank for endorphins for that. That breathless, heady haze after some midnight nooky? Thank endorphins for that, too. Right before climax, a wave of oxytocin rushes through your body that in turn releases endorphins, which are similar in structure to opiates and have the same feel-good affect by occupying morphine receptors in the brain. "It's pain relief and pain killing effect," says Britton. Have a headache? Ditch the nap and squeeze in a quickie instead.

10. Staying Mentally Sharp

In addition to providing enhanced blood flow to the body, sex also increases blood flow to the brain, delivering an extra boost of glucose that it uses as energy. So, if you've got a buildup of e-mails to read or really want to finish your crossword puzzle, sex might just be the jump-start you need. Afternoon delight, anyone?

Copyrighted 2014 © Ethan Windsor XII