Health Benefits of Wine
We’ve all heard that a glass of wine here and there is good for you, but how exactly does it contribute to your health? The ways seem almost endless. New studies appear to be constantly backing up the health benefits of drinking wine for moderate drinkers.
Before we talk health benefits though, let’s talk pour size. It can be hard to gauge an appropriate pour size, given the varying sizes and shapes of wine glasses. While we may love our oversized wine glasses, medical experts don’t consider that a proper pour!
A proper glass of wine is a 5-ounce pour. And when we say, “moderate drinking”, this means what is clinically considered to be healthy. For women, it’s one glass a day and for men it’s two or less.
Now that we have pour size covered, let’s get to the fun part. Pour yourself a glass and look at the ways wine can benefit your health!
1. WINE CONTAINS ANTIOXIDANTS
In the battle against fighting off free radicals that cause terrible health problems such as cancer, wine could be your answer. Wine is full of antioxidants that attack free radicals when they come lurking around. When choosing your wine for antioxidants, go with white.
A study done by the University of Barcelona scientists found that the phenols in white wine had equal, if not higher antioxidants, than those in red wine. This is interesting because wine drinkers commonly believe red wine provides the most health benefits in moderate amounts.
While you probably shouldn’t stop taking your daily vitamins, drinking a glass of wine daily can give your immune system a boost. Moderate alcohol consumption can ward off infections and keep your immune system in check. Don’t get too carried away, though. Excessive consumption can lead to negative effects that defeat the whole purpose of drinking wine for an immunity boost.
3. INCREASE BONE DENSITY
As we get older, our bones get more brittle. You could increase your calcium intake by drinking milk, or you can do yourself a real favor and sip on a relaxing glass of wine. Red wine has high levels of silicon, which is great for your bone mineral density. It increases the density and reduces the chance of osteoporosis. And like warm milk, it may help you doze off at night.
4. REDUCE THE RISK OF STROKE
Moderate consumption of wine – and alcohol in general – can prevent blood clotting. Wine acts as a natural blood thinner, breaking up any blood clots that could lead to a stroke. This lower risk of blood clotting is more beneficial to females than males.
Red wine contains phenols that act as a blood thinner in a similar regard to aspirin. A study done by John Hopkins University Medical Center found that resveratrol found in red grape skins could protect against stroke when the grapes were turned into wine.
While light to moderate consumption may be good in preventing a stroke, heavy drinkers are more likely to have the opposite effect, resulting in a higher risk of heart attacks, not a lower risk. Like all good things in life, moderation is key!
5. REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE
In the battle against heart disease, taking all necessary precautions is well worth it – especially when it involves wine. The tannins found in red wine contain procyanidins – phenols that neutralize free radicals – that have shown to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease.
According to WebMD, a study by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa tested the effects of red wine on the health of blood vessels. What they found after 21 consecutive days of consumption was that blood vessel cell health was enhanced, improving the flow of blood. This increases the health of the heart, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
So the lesson is, if you want a healthy heart, bite the bullet and drink a glass of wine. While the American Heart Association does not support drinking for nondrinkers or those at risk of alcoholism, those who already imbibe may continue light drinking for positive heart health.
6. LOWER CHOLESTEROL
Have bad cholesterol and no dietary guidelines? Pour a bowl of Cheerios in the morning and stick to wine at night. Those procyanidins in red wine that promote a healthy heart also promote lower cholesterol. Resveratrol also decreases LDL – bad cholesterol, while increasing the HDL – good cholesterol. This also means that red wine benefits blood pressure, so if you’re suffering from high blood pressure, it’s best to pour a glass. If you’re having trouble keeping your cholesterol levels on the good side, sip a daily glass of medicinal red wine.
7. REDUCE THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
Let’s face it, diabetes isn’t fun. You can’t indulge cravings without first considering the repercussions that result in more than a larger waistline. The good news is that if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, wine may help. Resveratrol has been proven to improve sensitivity to insulin. With insulin resistance contributing to type 2-diabetes risk, a nice glass of red wine makes the list of things you can enjoy.
8. REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER
In the battle against cancer, wine is on your side. Drinking a glass of wine can reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. The antioxidants in wine combat free radicals that allow cancer to thrive. Red wine is especially beneficial, as the resveratrol that fights against heart disease also fights against cancerous cells.
Researchers at Harvard found that: “Men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only 52 percent as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as those who do not drink red wine. In addition, red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers.”
9. IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Drinking a single glass of wine has shown to improve brain function. Like food for the brain, the chemicals in red wine prevent the brain’s neurons from dying off. As a result, it protects the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The next time you do your brain exercises, drink a glass of wine to help you gear up!
10. PROMOTE LONGEVITY
When you hear about healthy living and longevity, time and time again the Mediterranean diet comes up. At the core of that diet, beyond olive oil and vegetables, is wine. There is something magical inside the daily glass of wine that increases life span. Resveratrol.
Researchers at Harvard found that resveratrol, found in red wine, activates a protein that acts as an anti-aging agent. The interaction increases overall health, thus promoting longevity, thus promoting more time to enjoy your wine!
Pour a glass of wine and toast to your health. Cheers!
~ From “10 Health Benefits of Wine” by Carissa Stanz as seen in WIDE OPEN EATS. For more information on the many benefits of RED wine, visit our friends at WINE TURTLE as well!
