Thanks to guest blogger Mark Davis for this post!
Whether red wine has any prominent health benefit is still a debatable issue. However, studies have shown that consuming a moderate amount of red wine, which has an alcohol content of 12% -15% on a daily basis helps in the prevention of a number of diseases including heart disease.
It should be remembered that there is a fine line of difference between moderate and excessive. Too much consumption of wine can be detrimental to health. On the other hand, too little of it would not give you the benefits usually enjoyed by the moderate drinkers.
Red wines, which may vary in taste and color, are prepared by crushing and fermenting whole, dark-colored grapes. There are many varieties of red wine, the most common of which are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz etc.
#1. Rich in antioxidants
Before consuming a red wines you need to know to almost everything about a wine. What are the negative and positive effects it can cause on your health because it is enriched with powerful anti-oxidants. Darker grapes are higher in antioxidants like resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. Of these, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are mainly responsible for keeping you healthy.
#2. Lowers bad cholesterol
Red wines are known to lower the bad cholesterol in your system. According to a study, the high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes, used to make certain varieties of red wines such as Rioja, lower bad cholesterol levels.
#3. Keeps heart healthy
Not only does it regulate the cholesterol levels, but also keeps the heart healthy. Polyphenols, a certain type of antioxidants present in red wines prevent unwanted clotting by keeping the blood vessels flexible. However, it should be remembered that heavy drinking damages the heart.
#4. Regulates blood sugar
Resveratrol, the natural compound found in grape skin, controls blood sugar levels in diabetic persons. The research showed that subjects who took 250 mg of resveratrol supplements once daily for three months had lower glucose levels in blood than those who did not. Resveratrol also controls cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure.
#5. Reduces the risk of cancer
Regular and moderate consumption of red wine can effectively reduce the risks of certain types of cancers such as basal cell, colon, prostrate carcinoma, ovarian etc. Scientists used a dose of resveratrol on human cancer cells and found that it obstructs the key action of a cancer aiding protein.
#6. Helps treat common cold
The antioxidants present in red wines treat common cold, since antioxidants protects cells against the harmful effects of free radicals which has a strong role to play in cold, cancer and other diseases.
#7. Keeps memory sharp
Wondering how to keep your memory sharp? According to research, resveratrol present in red wines inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid protein, a key ingredient in the plaque of the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
#8. Keeps you slim
You would be glad to know that resveratrol also helps keep a check on your weight. The chemical compound piceatannol converted from resveratrol reduces the fat cells in our body. According to the researchers, piceatannol fastens the insulin receptors of fat cells which blocks the pathways required for immature fat cells to grow.
#9. Reduces the risk of depression
A study carried out on middle aged to elderly people showed that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily keeps away depression. People who drink red wine are less likely to be depressed than people who don’t.
#10. Has positive effects on the digestive system
The anti-bacterial nature of red wines has enabled it to treat stomach irritation and other digestive disorders. Wine consumption has also proven to reduce the risk of infection from Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium usually found in the stomach.
Excessive drinking of alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the body, which include liver cirrhosis, weight gain etc. It can even pose a threat to life. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot indulge in drinking your favorite red wine once in awhile. Ideally, it shouldn’t be more than 1-1.5 glasses a day for women and 1-2 glasses a day for men. It is also advisable to skip wine for 1 or 2 days in between so that there is sufficient gap in drinking. However, this should be your total drinking limit and not for wine alone.
It is not always necessary to consume wine by the glass alone. You can use it as an ingredient in your food or prepare a red wine sauce to go with your dinner and still reap the same benefits. Red wine also has a host of other health benefits such as treating headaches, reducing calorie intake by killing the appetite, etc.
If you are a wine lover you can use it to your own health benefits by consuming it in the right amounts. Although, there are other ways of staying healthy, wine enthusiasts can mend their drinking ways and ensure a better, disease free life.
