Could red wine benefit gut health?
While it is still very much advised that any drinking of alcohol should be in moderation, a recent study suggests that red wine may be beneficial to our health.
Studies in the past have suggested that red wine may have benefits to health due to its resveratrol content, which is a powerful antioxidant found in grape skins, but a recent article titled “Red wine drinkers have better gut health, say researchers” by NutraIngredients suggests that red wine may benefit the gut in particular.
A study from King’s College London, involving 916 twins, has found that there is a link between moderate red wine drinking and a more diverse gut microbiota. The study also found a link between red wine drinking and lower levels of obesity and ‘bad’ cholesterol.
While the findings are promising, and it is also one of the largest ever studies that has explored the effects of red wine in the gut, it is worth noting that the study was only carried out on only female sets of twins and it is still advised to drink alcohol in moderation.
Could a plant-based diet lead to nutrient deficiency?
Plant-based diets and veganism have grown in popularity, with interest in veganism rising 454.5% over the past five years, according to Google Trends data. With this increasing interest, there has also been a lot of debate over the health impacts of this diet and lifestyle.
One nutritionist has made headlines in the past week for suggesting that plant-based diets run the risk of worsening brain health nutrient deficiency, as reported in this article by Science Daily.
While it is difficult to obtain enough choline, a nutrient essential for normal lipid metabolism, normal homocysteine metabolism and the maintenance of normal liver function, from plant-based sources, it is possible. Broccoli, pulses, quinoa and nuts are all sources of the nutrient, albeit in lower quantities than some meat and dairy food sources.
This nutritionist report comes shortly after a separate paper hit headlines claiming that plant-based diet could benefit the environment . It is a hotly debated topic, and one that doesn’t look to be resolved any time soon, but the guidance is, whether you’re on a plant-based diet or not, ensure you eat a balanced diet rich in the key nutrients and avoid processed foods.
The benefits of organic apples
Apples are widely considered a good source of nutrients including fibre and potassium, which are beneficial to health, but a recent article by the Modern Farmer, suggests that organic apples hold even more benefits.
Researchers from Austria looked at the microbiome, the genetic material within a microbiota, which is an ecological community of microorganisms, of both organic and non-organic apples and found that, while they contained similar amounts of bacteria, the organic apples contained more varied ‘good’ bacteria, which can support gut health.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.