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Ask HER: Benefits of Red Wine, Melatonin as a Sleep Aid & When Should You Do Cardio?

It's YOUR time on HER Radio. Be a part of the show... send your comments and ask your questions by email, AskHER@radiomd.com. It's time to Ask HER. Today, on HER Radio you wanted to know:

What are the health benefits of drinking red wine?

Red wine is good for your heart. It contains resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant compound, which protects against general "blah." It also contains a number of antioxidants that can protect you from type-2 diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and can slow the signs of aging. Red wine can prevent tooth decay by hardening the enamel and protecting your teeth from bacteria. Resveratrol also comes in tablet form.

However, the benefits of drinking alcohol may have been overestimated in previous studies. The new guidelines say that women shouldn’t have alcohol more than twice a week. There is controversy in alcohol consumption and likelihood of breast cancer.

Does melatonin help with sleep?

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland that helps control your sleep and wake cycles. It’s found in fruits, grains, meats, and vegetables. It’s also available as a supplement. Melatonin levels rise in the evening and drop in the early morning hours. As you age, melatonin levels can decline.

Is it better to do cardio before weight lifting, or to do weight lifting before cardio?

It's not advised that you do a ton of cardio before lifting weights; no more than 15-20 minutes of warming up. You need enough stamina, endurance, and energy to properly lift weights and reap all the benefits.

If you have a personal health question that you want answered, Pam and Michelle encourage you to send them in to AskHER@radiomd.com.