Amar’e Stoudemire: New York Knicks Big Man Takes Baths In Red Wine To Repair Knee
Amar’e Stoudemire has a secret for why his surgically repaired knees have rebounded so well this preseason — red wine.
No, the New York Knicks big man hasn’t taken up drinking to take the edge off but instead has been using an unconventional type of rehab that involves taking baths in red wine.
Amar’e claims that the baths have done wonders for his body.
“The red wine bath is very important to me because it allows me to create more circulation in my red blood cells,” Stoudemire told ESPN on Thursday after completing a three-hour practice with the Knicks. “Plus, it’s very hot, so it’s like a hot tub. But it’s also the red wine… just kind of soothes the body.”
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Recovery Day! Red Wine Bath!! #Kinging #Blessed #Hebrews Getting ready for the eighth day feast.
The red wine baths, known as vinotherapy, are considered an effective way to improve skin and blood flow.
“Scientific research has found that grape seeds, skins, and stems are rich in phytophenols, which are natural compounds that reduce damaging free radicals in the body, and resveratrol, a compound that spurs new cell growth and firms skin,” wrote Health.com correspondent Diana Cerqueira.
Stoudemire said he mixes the wine bath with water and follows up each bath treatment with a 90-minute massage.
“Also, you have the ancient tub, so you have like a salt tub and a hot tub and a cold plunge and a pool,” Stoudemire explained. “And you just kind of mix it all up.”
The New York Knicks likely don’t care what Stoudemire does as long as he can return to his pre-injury form. Last year he logged a total of 1,466 minutes, the third-lowest of his career.
So far this preseason his knee has shown no ill effects.
“Well, yesterday I felt great,” Stoudemire said during the team’s day off Wednesday. “And after doing that recovery day, my legs felt rejuvenated. I felt great, so I’m going to continue to do that for sure.”
As for the quality of red wine used in his baths, Stoudemire said he doesn’t know. He hasn’t tried to taste it yet.
