Your Health and Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits (Part Two)

Last week we covered the health benefits of wine. This week we cover the benefits of Beer. That’s right drinking one beer per day may be good for your health because it has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Why? Some experts suggest these reasons: Beer contains vitamin B6, which prevents the buildup of homocysteine, a chemical linked with heart disease. Moreover, studies have shown that one serving of beer provides roughly the same amount of heart-healthy antioxidant protection as red wine, and that consuming moderate amounts of beer lowers one's chances of coronary heart disease by 30-40 percent, compared to those who don't kick back with the occasional brew. Lab studies have found constituents in beer that lower triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol in mice. Drinking one beer per day reduces blood clotting so some studies found that cardiovascular patients who drank one beer per day also lived longer. Other studies have found that women who consume one beer each day have improved mental health. Drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages in moderation may also improve bone density.

What about liquor? Drinking moderate amounts of any kind of alcohol -- be it beer, wine, or hard liquor -- will raise your good HDL cholesterol levels, says Lisa Young, adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University and author of The Portion Teller Plan.Most of  the information about hard liquor benfits are home remedies for ailments so here they are. Feel free to post any of your own remedies and recipes in the comments section of this post.

Angostura bitters are used for sluggish digestion, poor appetite, or flatulence, try taking a teaspoon of Angostura Bitters before or after meals (experiment to see which works best for you). If you do not like it straight, try diluting it with sparkling water to make a (relatively) nonalcoholic "mocktail." Gentian root is quite harmless and quite effective. Also try eating a slice of lemon which has been soaked in angostura bitters to cure your hiccups.

One of the Remedy’s we get a lot in our store is brandy for a cold. A lot of people choose a fruit flavored brandy like blackberry. There is also another cold remedy the Hot toddy.  To make this drink bring approximately 3 oz. of water to a boil-enough to fill a teacup nearly to the top. You may want to use tea instead to add a different flavor, but plain hot water allows you to enjoy the mellow taste of the brandy mixture. Pour 1 1/2 to 2 oz. of brandy into a teacup, depending on your preference. Brandy has several properties to recommend it as a treatment, such as the antimicrobial properties of the alcohol and its ability to thin the mucus built up by the cold. In proper amounts, it can also be very calming. Add the hot water to the brandy and then stir a spoonful of honey (to taste) to the mixture. Honey is soothing for sore throats and irritated mucus membranes; it is also believed to have sedative properties and relieve coughs and stuffy noses. Cut a wedge of lemon and squeeze it into the Toddy. Lemon has loads of citric acid and vitamin C to help loosen phlegm and boost the immune system. Lemon also has astringent qualities, which will reduce swelling in the throat and is an excellent anti-oxidant. Drink the hot brandy just before bed to help you relax. You'll sleep more easily and the ingredients will help you to breathe more freely, cough less and ease the pain and irritation from the cold. You could also use whiskey or rum instead of brandy.

Here is another home remedy that we have people coming in for Gin raisins to help with arthritis. How to Make Gin Raisins for Arthritis. Although there are several variations of this arthritis remedy, the basic recipe goes something like this: Get a box of golden raisins or as many as you want to make at one time (they are sometimes called white raisins, the key being not ordinary black raisins).  Put the raisins in a container (shallower makes it easier).   Pour gin over the raisins just enough to cover them (how much depends on how many raisins you have).  Let the raisins soak for a few weeks until the gin evaporates.  Then eat approximately nine raisins per day. (you will see this number change for different variations of the recipe)
What type of gin you use doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t buy the cheapest bottle. You can make any amount that you feel comfortable with using a ratio similar to one cup of raisins to every 2 cups of gin.

Last but not least Tonic water. A Medline search turned out that quinine may help in the treatment of muscle spasm.

Your Health and Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits (Part One)

Last May Wine Spectator Magazine did a whole issue about the Healing Power of Wine. Most people have heard that wine is good for you, but do you know why? This was a very informative issue. Many studies are being done on wine right now and some of the results might surprise you. Wine contains a compound found in the skins of red grapes, called resveratrol that protects us from heart disease, cancers and other diseases and ailments.

According to recent studies, it has been found that red wine with regular and moderate use (1 glass for women and 2 glasses for men per day) promotes good health. It can reduce heart disease up to 35 %, because the resveratrol prevents the formation of protein that reduces heart pumping efficiency. It also reduces production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad stuff) and boosts high density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol (the good stuff). Lastly the alcohol protects the heart mainly by acting on platelets to prevent clogging, thus helping your blood pressure. The resveratrol in red wine also helps with the reduction of cancer by boosting the immune system and blocking cancer formation with chemical components acting as antioxidants. It also prevents molecules from doing cellular damage inhibiting tumor development.

Studies are also being done that show how wine can cut your chances of getting a cold or the flu. There are even studies being done that show that drinking wine can increase your lifespan by 5 yrs. The most beneficial red wines are Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Petite Syrah. Now there are studies being done to show the benefits of white wine, I found an article on Web MD that states that whites maybe just a beneficial as reds.

Here in Yankton our Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits Manager Lynn Schieffer has done speeches for Heart Healthy events at our store and Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. Before starting any new diet changes be sure to consult with your doctor and do your own research. There are tons of studies out there.

Next Week we will discuss some health benefits of other wine and spirits products.

January 17th Weekly Selections

Wine of the Week

BV Coatal Estates 2006 Cabernet
Dark ruby-violet color. This Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon promises much, and delivers more! The aromas suggest black and green peppercorn, with currant-mint and black tea overtones. Medium bodied, the aromas are echoed on the palate, and completed by hints of dark chocolate. Finishing with a light, velvety texture, this wine is very easy to drink.

Beer of the Week
Bud Select 55
A smooth, light golden lager with 55 calories and the crisp, clean finish of Budweiser Select. Select 55 is brewed with caramel malts and a blend of imported and domestic hopping. Select 55 has a light golden color and offers aroma notes of toasted malt and subtle hopping. This beer has 1.9 grams of Carbohydrates and 2.4% Alcohol.

Spirit of the Week
Angostura Bitters
ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters is a highly concentrated food and beverage flavouring. Made from a secret formula, it is a unique blend of natural herbs and spices which is used to flavour a wide variety of foods and drinks. The "secret" was developed in 1824 by Dr. J.G.B. Siegert, a Surgeon General in Simon Bolivar's army in Venezuela. He used his aromatic bitters to improve appetite and digestive well-being of the soldiers. The word "Angostura" came from the town of that name in Venezuela where Dr. Siegert was based. Angostura aromatic bitters is a unique flavour enhancer for food preparation, beverages and deserts; just a few dashes can enhance the flavour of any dish. It is not bitter when added to food & drink, but rather has the ability to marry flavours, bringing out the best in them without masking their taste. It is great with the following, just add a few dashes to add a burst of flavour:-Fruit juices and fresh fruit salads -Coffee -Ice Cream (especially vanilla, coconut, rum & raisin) -Seasonings & marinades (especially for meats) -Soups & sauces

Cocktail of the Week
Champagne cocktail  (Week 2 of Valentine's day theme)

•  1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Champagne
• 1 oz brandy
• Orange slice
• Maraschino cherry

 Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a Champange flute. Use the dashes of angostura bitters to saturate the sugar cube, Pour Champange into the flute. Add brandy. Garnich with the orange slice and Cherry.