Your health: Could red wine equal a workout?

Could red wine equal a workout?

Maybe for New Year's Eve you should skip the champagne and drink red wine instead.

Research conducted by the University of Alberta in Canada has found that health benefits in resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, are similar to those we get from exercise, the Huffington Post reports.

Red wine over a heavy workout session? Sounds like a good deal.

According to lead researcher Jason Dyck, these findings will particularly help those who are unable to exercise. Resveratrol was seen to improve physical performance, heart function and muscle strength in the same way as they're improved after a gym session.

“I think resveratrol could help patient populations who want to exercise but are physically incapable,” he says.

“Resveratrol could mimic exercise for them or improve the benefits of the modest amount of exercise that they can do.”

Previous studies have revealed that those who drink a glass of red wine a day are less likely to develop dementia or cancer, that it's good for your heart, anti-aging and can regulate blood sugar.

The university's study was carried out on rats, not humans. And, there are other ways to up your intake of resveratrol besides wine. Try blueberries, peanut butter, red grapes and dark chocolate.

Beware of the holiday buffet

One sure way to ruin your New Year's Eve festivities is by giving your party guests food poisoning.

Buffets are popular for New Year's Eve parties, but be especially careful to keep the food safe to consume, warns U.S. News & World Report.

“Foods served buffet-style at parties tend to sit out for hours without refrigeration or heat, increasing the risk for foodborne illness,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Alissa Rumsey, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

To keep everyone safe this holiday season, follow these tips from the Food and Drug Administration:

• Keep buffet serving portions small. Prepare a number of small platters and dishes ahead of time, and replace each empty serving dish with a fresh one throughout the party.

• Store cold backup dishes in the refrigerator or keep hot dishes in the oven set at 200 -250 degrees Fahrenheit prior to serving.

• Hot foods should be kept at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Check the food often with a good thermometer. Serve or keep food hot in chafing dishes and slow cookers. If using a warming tray, be aware that some warmers only hold food at 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Keep cold foods refrigerated until serving time. If food is going to stay out on the buffet table longer than two hours, place plates of cold food, like shrimp, on ice to retain the chill.

• Don't add new food to an already-filled serving dish. Instead, replace nearly-empty serving dishes with freshly-filled ones. Be aware that during the course of the party, bacteria from people's hands can contaminate the food.

• Remember the two-hour rule: Discard any perishables left out at room temperature for more than two hours, unless you're keeping it hot or cold. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.