Wine

Wine is also one of the Healing Foods from the Bible by Bernard Ward. Making wine from grapes is one of the most ancient arts, and certainlywine appears to have been the beverage of choice throughout the Bible.

According to Genesis, one of the first things Noah did after the Flood subsided was plant a vineyard so he could make wine. But then he promptly drank too much of what he produced and became intoxicated, which resulted in several stern warnings in both the Old and New Testaments against the excesses of wine.

Although grapes were the primary source for wine, then as now, spirits were also distilled from other fruits and grains and were then sometimes diluted with water and flavored with honey, cinnamon or spicy herbs.

Researchers are now rediscovering what the physicians of the Bible knew centuries ago: That wine-in moderation- may have a profound impact on our health and healing. One of the earliest recomendations on record comes from St. Paul, who wrote: "Stop drinking water only, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and for your frequent cases of sickness." - 1 Timothy 5:23.

You don't have to drink very much wine to receive the benefits. Many researchers say that a single glass of wine a day may be enough to raise the HDL count by as much as seven percent and help the body put up a significant barrier to a variety of cancers.

HEART DISEASE: Wine may also be just the thing for heading off heart problems. A study at the University of Ottawa in Canada recently concluded there is a clear link between wine consumption and lower rates of heart disease. In areas of high wine consumption, the number of fatal heart attacks was found to be dramatically lower than elsewhere. Countries where better than 90 percent of alcohol is consumed in the form of wine have the lowest rate of heart disease deaths.

CANCER: Wine, particularly red wine, also seems to strengthen the body's defenses against cancer, just as it does against heart disease. Researcher Dr. Hans Stich says: "Wine, notably red wine, has high concentrations of gallic acid, one of the tannic acids that give the bouquet to the wine. Gallic acid is also anticarcinogenic."

CAUTION: Wine can be a two-edged sword. In elderly people who have trouble eating enough of the right foods to maintain good health, a glass of wine can be wonderful appetite stimulant. However, it does the same for the people who are dieting so if you are trying to lose those extra pounds, it might be best to pass the wine.

There are many benefits to drinking a glass of wine each day. However, the advice given in the Bible thousands of years ago, still applies: "AND BE NOT DRUNK WITH WINE, WHEREIN IS EXCESS." Ephesians 5:18.