Alcohol is widely known for the adverse effects it can have on our bodies. But wine, especially red wine seems to be an exception. Various studies and researches show that consuming a glass of wine every day can do more good than harm. From improving your heart health to helping you lose weight, here are 6 benefits of drinking red wine.
1) Rich in anti-oxidants
We all know that wine is made from black grapes and, black grapes have generous amounts of polyphenol, resveratrol, and other antioxidants in them. This makes red wine one of the very few beverages that are rich in anti-oxidants. Drinking a glass of red wine every day will greatly increase your anti-oxidant levels. These antioxidants fight the damaging free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. This in turn can help improve memory and also delay signs of aging.
2) Promotes heart health
Various studies have shown that people who consume 1-2 glasses per day (moderate amounts) of red wine have a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the health of the blood vessels in the heart. The powerful antioxidant called polyphenol can help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), reduce blood pressure, and prevent blood clots. All of this works to promote a healthy heart.
3) Lowers body mass
Okay! We’ve all been told to avoid alcohol if we want to lose weight. But, red wine again seems to be an exception. According to experts, drinking 1-2 glasses of red wine can actually help you lose unwanted weight. Polyphenol in wine converts white fat into beige fat and this fat is much easier to lose. In fact, wine encourages your body to burn extra calories for about 90 minutes after consumption. Also, studies have found that wine drinkers have much less abdominal fat and narrower waists when compared to others.
4) Regulates blood sugar
People who consume wine regularly were also found to have lower blood sugar levels than others. This is because of the resveratrol present in wine. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in the skin of grapes and reduces insulin resistance in the body and in turn, regulates blood sugar levels. This improvement in glucose tolerance can help prevent or control type-2 diabetes.
5) Improves gut health
With red wine, you might finally be able to get rid of your gut troubles. A study published in the journal Gastroenterology states that wine drinkers have higher amounts of the gut microbiome. Gut microbiome is the good bacteria that helps in digestion. Polyphenols in wine, act as micronutrients for these bacteria and promotes their growth. The result is a healthier gut, improved digestion, and reduced risk of irritable bowel.
6) Promotes brain health
Foods rich in antioxidants are good for the brain and nervous system. Polyphenols have neuroprotective properties. They help boost your memory, improve concentration, reduce the risk of diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and depression.
Conclusion:
So, there you have it, a few benefits of consuming a glass of wine daily. The resveratrol in red wine is what you are after. However, red wine contains at most 12.59 mg resveratrol per litre. To achieve the studied dose in studies, one would have to drink over 3 litres of wine daily. At that amount, it is safe to say that it will cause more harm than good. Remember that alcohol can be addictive and can cause other health problems. Maybe it is time to simply eat grapes or drinking grape juice as an alternative o get resveratrol without drinking alcohol. References:
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265635#dementia
https://whitehalllane.com/10-health-benefits-of-drinking-red-wine-that-will-keep-you-healthy/
https://www.health.com/nutrition/6-reasons-why-a-little-glass-of-wine-each-day-may-do-you-good
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-wine#healthiest-type