LeBron James is in the twilight of his career but seems to be enjoying the benefits of being rich and retired a little early as he says he drinks wine every night – and believes it helps his heart.
The 36-year-old NBA superstar told ESPN that he regularly drinks wine which has helped maintain his brilliant form. “I've heard it's good for the heart,” James said. “Listen, I'm playing the best basketball of my life, and I'm drinking some wine pretty much every day. Whatever it is, I'll take it.”
He seems to have a point. James starred with a 30-point triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 106-94 Sunday. It was LeBron’s 101st career triple-double. It was the Lakers' second straight win without all-star Anthony Davis who is out with a knee injury.
James recently became the fifth player in NBA history to reach the milestone of 100 triple-doubles. It's a common myth in health that has some seeds of truth, but experts say it's not as simple as that, and drinking wine so often can be detrimental. While wine is a mainstay in some of the healthiest societies in the world, research suggests drinking alcohol every day can slow down injury recovery and hinder athletic performance.
He said in the past he "was not a wine guy" and never drank the tipple at all until after he turned 30. Now he admits he’s developed such a love for wine, that he even let his seven-year-old daughter try it when she was younger.
James isn't alone — other NBA aces like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker are also big wine drinkers. Experience and total dedication has paid off in his mature years. James made every All-Star game since turning 30 in 2015, and has improved in minutes played per game, points per game, rebounds per game, and assists per game in that time. This year he has missed 12 games due to ankle and abdominal injuries, and his rebound and assists numbers have decreased.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than one glass (140 ml) of wine a day for women and two a day for men. By that measure, James is within the guidelines. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and raise levels of triglycerides, which can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
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