MEDICINAL WINE

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.[Psalms 104:15]

Grape juice: Same heart benefits as wine?

Does grape juice offer the same heart benefits as red wine?

Answer

from Martha Grogan, M.D.

Possibly. Some research studies suggest that red and purple grape juices may provide some of the same heart benefits of red wine, including:

• Reducing the risk of blood clots
• Reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol
• Preventing damage to blood vessels in your heart
• Helping maintain a healthy blood pressure

Grapes are rich in health-protecting antioxidants, including resveratrol and flavonoids. These antioxidants are found mainly in the skin, stem, leaf and seeds of grapes, rather than in their pulp. The amount of antioxidants in grapes depends on many factors, including the kind of grape, its geographic origin and how it's processed. Dark red and purple grapes tend to be higher in antioxidants than are white or green grapes. Likewise, the level of antioxidants such as resveratrol found in wine varies, with higher levels in red wine. 

1 Timothy 5:23

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine (Grapes juice) for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Besides grape juice, other grape products may offer health benefits, including dealcoholized wine, grape extracts and grape powder. 

Keep in mind that it's also beneficial to eat whole grapes — not just grape juice. Some research suggests that whole grapes deliver the same amount of antioxidants that are in grape juice and wine but have the added benefit of providing dietary fiber. 

First of all, wine was used as a disinfectant to clean wounds (Luke 10:34). In the account of the Good Samaritan, wine was poured into the wounds of the man found lying, bleeding, and dying on the side of the road. The wine was poured in as a disinfectant, and the oil was used to coat the wound and enhance the natural healing process. It is doubtful if anyone in America would use wine for such a purpose today and the reason is obvious: there is no NEED for such a practice. In our age we have better, more effective ointments and salves which can be used on cuts and wounds. Thus, this use of wine has been rendered obsolete in the modern world. Praise God that wine is no longer needed as a disinfectant. Modern ointments are by far superior.

Secondly, a form of wine was used as a pain reliever. In ancient times, a cheap wine (oxos; sharp wine or vinegar), some times called the soldiers’ wine, was mixed with myrrh or gall and was used as a pain reliever for those dying or in extreme pain. Such a wine was offered to Jesus on the cross. In Matthew 27:34, the term is translated “vinegar.” See also John 19:29,30. 

Another example of this usage occurs in Proverbs 31:6: “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.” In this passage, the author uses a technique of Hebrew poetry (synonymous parallelism) commonly found in the book of Proverbs. In such a parallelism, the same thought is repeated and couched in different words for emphasis and to explain the thought in more detail. The parallel here is as follows:

· “Strong drink” is equal to “wine”…

· “Him that is ready to perish” is equal to “those that be of heavy hearts”…

Here the author speaks of the common practice of using wine (a strong drink) to alleviate the pain and suffering of one who is dying, and thus of a heavy heart. This man was suffering on the inside (heavy heart) and the outside (his body was perishing). Wine was virtually the only kind of pain reliever available and it was used to aid those who were suffering. Today, doctors may prescribe morphine or some other strong agent to alleviate pain for a cancer sufferer. Morphine, like alcohol, may be dangerous (they can be addicting), but they are necessary. There may come a day when another means of treating severe pain is discovered – a treatment with no dangerous side effects. Until then, we must use what is available.