What's Really Good With The Wine?

What on earth is going on? That was my reaction this morning while I watched the CBS Morning Show. There was a segment with Kevin Hicks who founded Beverage Grades his own laboratory and began a process to test wine.

According to his findings, there were very high levels of arsenic. What he discovered shocked him.

Now here is where I am sitting up and paying close attention. Not that I'm a wine connoisseur but I have had many conversations/questions pertaining to wine and it's benefits. The benefits vary from heart health to the prevention of cancer. Yes I've heard it all. On a personal note, there are times when we would sip on a glass of wine in celebration for a celebration or with an occasional meal. It all seems healthy and harmless. Needless to say, this news report was not good.

The segment continues as Mr. Hicks stated that he analyzed more than 1,300 bottles of wine.
Here's the kicker --> Almost twenty-five percent had levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum allowable amount of arsenic in drinking water: 10 parts per billion.



Interestingly, there was a pattern. Sadly, it has to do with the price. Yes indeed - the lower the cost per liter basis, the higher the amount of arsenic. What's even more alarming, is that you could have purchased it at your local Trader Joe's Two-Buck Chuck White Zinfandel - with flying marks at three times the limit. For the fun, feisty and seductive bunch who purchases a bottle of Ménage à Trois Moscato for the giggles, well that was four times the limit. The arsenic winner here is the Franzia Blush, this had five times the EPA limit for drinking water. Whew, let's take a moment to let that sink in, give thanks that we are still alive to read this and proceed with caution from hereon in.


Get this, naturally these findings must surely be something that the wine companies would be interested in knowing. After all, their goal is to sell wine not poison its consumers. Mr. Hicks shared the test results to some of those wine companies and as you'll see here's the outcome.



Before you panic, please note that wine is still good for you, the adventure is to know which one can you really trust.

Healthier Choices - Healthier Business Minds

The fact is that we are living longer lives than our forefathers and mothers. However, that does not mean that our lives are healthier. The advances in medicine enables us to live with diseases and illnesses that can lengthen our time giving us a longer life. Have you said to yourself that you have to improve your health? Do you procrastinate in keeping your word to eat right? Exercise more?

Life is filled with challenges. As a business woman or man the challenges are consistently before you. What do you do when you are overwhelmed with the stresses of making decisions, dealing with various immediate sensitive issues, etc.? Do you grab a drink? You know that alcohol affects every organ in the body? Only a small amount of alcohol can be metabolized by the enzymes in the liver - that means that the alcohol has no choice but to circulate througout the body. Red wine is recommended with one glass a day for women and two for men to help in the prevention of heart attacks. There have also been reports that claims that red wine also helps to prevent cancer. The red wine is rich in phytochemicals which acts as antioxidants and it possibly prevents cancer. However, with all things do so in moderation the fact is drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is linked to many types of cancer.

How about your eating habits? Do you eat out or order take out often? It sure is more convenient to grab something quick to eat but at what cost? What are the long term consequences? Will it be worth it? You have choices - they may not be the most appealing meals but how about a salad, steamed vegetables and fish? What I am suggesting is that you make a healthier choice every now and again. You can begin today - have a yogurt as a snack. Drink a glass of water or two when you think of drinking soda. I know when you want soda - you have a taste for soda not water. Well, how about mixing it up - have water when you are thirsty rather than drink soda. When you go to a restaurant have the water, drink it. Start making smalls changes you will soon notice that you can have your cake and eat it too - in moderation.

A healthy body gives you great confidence and with that amazing business mind that you have, you will be beside yourself with glee. You will be even sharper than you ever imagined and your life will be longer and healthier than ever. Let's plan to go skiing at 90?

Now is the best time to take charge of our Health!