Ask A Scientist© Biology Archive

Author:      beezlebub
Text:        Is it true that a glass of wine is more beneficial to your health 
than a glass of milk?

Response #:  1 of 2
Author:      Lou Harnisch
Text:        For children under 8 (or so) no way.  The liver and blood-brain 
barrier - millions of special cells surrounding brain capillaries - are not 
fully formed and might not limit damage as in an adult.  A glass of wine is 
also too large of a dose for youngsters.  For an adult, a glass of wine in the 
late afternoon with food is considered beneficial, if one can indeed limit 
themselves to that amount and be allowed to "relax" (no driving or heavy 
equipment operation).  However, a 55 year old woman with naturally low blood 
cholesterol and triglycerides, might benefit more from milk if osteoporosis is 
becoming a problem for her.  There are many individual differences in 
metabolism between people so it becomes difficult to make blanket statements.

Response #:  2 of 2
Author:      wizkid
Text:        Also to consider:  Milk provides lactose, a sugar which requires 
a special enzyme, lactase, in order to be digested.  The World Health 
Organization has found that 70% of people above the age of 12 lose the ability 
to produce lactase, and so cannot adequately digest the lactose in milk.  As a 
result, the sugar remains intact and reaches the lower intestine, where 
residing bacterial flora use it as food.  However, lots of gas is produced, 
leading to bloating and other GI disturbances.