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Wow! Didn't know that. So it has some sense after all. I always thought it was a joke, still, he possibly meant it, which would explain why he used to take a bit of olive oil in a glass, at morning and on an empty stomach.He was right about red wine when you consume animal fat, and I think he may be right that "vino rosso fa sangue". (We say that, and also "pan e vin fan un bel fantin": bread and wine make a beautiful baby.)
You can find studies on it. Some say alcohol, even social drinking, can damage the bone marrow where red blood cells are made, but studies of red wine in particular show that it helps with anemia. Obviously, other than a few old men, I never knew any alcoholics, so this means a small glass or two with a meal, not getting drunk every day.
All I know is that one reason we are getting so hard hit in this Covid 19 crisis is that we have SO MANY people not just over 65, but over 80 and 90, and 80 and 90 year olds who are still functioning pretty well in most cases. Indeed, I don't think the country could function without the nonni. Going by my own family, a lot of Italians are still averse to putting their children in "daycare", even when it's available, which it often isn't. The grandmothers and grandfathers watch the children, prepare the evening meal, and sometimes even a lunch, and sometimes put in a load of wash too.
They themselves believe that their diet, rich in red wine, olive oil, fish, leafy green vegetables and fruits, and relatively low in red meat, accounts for it, along with having a strong, satisfying and supportive family structure. I'd add that they also do a lot of walking.
There are other "blue zones" in the world, of course. Here is one in Greece. I want to steal her.
I do think he may be wrong in one particular: I think genetics may be a part of it.
Specifically as concerns olive oil, on a living with arthritis website, it says:
"Researchers say that about 3 1/2 Tbsp. of the oil is equal to a 200-mg tablet of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is widely used to help control pain and inflammation. But serious side effects can occur if it's used for more than 10 days."
Also...
"Olive oil seems particularly beneficial when combined with fish oil, a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. In one study, olive and fish oil significantly improved handgrip strength, joint pain and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis."
It's not a one ingredient deal. It's the whole package, the whole diet and the life style as well.
I did know red wine could be good for anemia, but I haven't done the link between this fact and the phrase. It makes sense.
As for the wine decreasing the absorption of fat, it's red wine, right? His concept seems ok, however, he used to drink more white wine than red wine, so he possibly missed this detail. Indeed, if I recall correctly, he used to say "vino rosso fa sangue" also to justify his preference for white wine. The other way he expressed the idea was something like "red wine thickens blood" - which seemed a "negative" thing. On the other hand, paternal grandfather preferred red wine - as myself -, afaik. (Straw cigarette killed him way before my birth, so we haven't met, unfortunately.)
"Pan e vin fa un bel putin." ah ah ah Excellent! :-D
Thanks for the interesting video! That island resembles Sardinia in lifestyle. Our "Italian version" brings together those elements too, and it's also known by its longevity.
