Discover How Red Wine Could Be a Healthy Addition To Your Evening Meal.

Why Red Wine?

Wine has been part of social, religious, and cultural events for hundreds of years. Medieval monasteries believed that their monks lived longer lives in part to their regular, moderate imbibing of wine. Researchers have studied wine — especially red wine — extensively for its possible health benefits.

Health Benefits Of Red Wine,

Drinking wine in moderation has positive ties with:

• cardiovascular disease
• atherosclerosis
• hypertension
• certain types of cancer
• type 2 diabetes
• neurological disorders
• metabolic syndrome

How might red wine improve your health?

Wine may get its health benefits from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating effects. wine — made from crushed dark grapes — is a relatively rich source of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in the skin of grapes.

Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has clear associations with many diseases, including cancers and heart disease.

Whole grapes and berries are better sources of resveratrol than red wine, and because of the health risks linked with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, getting antioxidants from foods is probably better for you than drinking wine.

People may need to drink a lot of wine to get enough resveratrol to have an effect, which could do more harm than good. That said, when choosing between alcoholic beverages, red wine may be more healthful than some others.

The following sections take a closer look at the possible health benefits of red wine.

1. Cardiovascular health

Many studies through the years have shown a positive link between moderate wine drinking and good heart health.

Recently, a 2019 review reported that drinking red wine is linked with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, which is a leading cause of disease and death in the United States. Wine might have cardioprotective effects.

However, the American Heart Association says that such studies does not show the cause-and-effect relationships. Other things may play a role. For example, people who drink  wine in moderation may also follow a healthier lifestyle or a Mediterranean diet.

Please Drink In Moderation!

They also point out that excess alcohol can directly harm the heart. To stay safe, people should stay within official CDC guidelines from the Centers for Disease and Prevention which define moderate drinking as:

1 glass of wine per day for females
2 glasses of wine for males
One glass of wine is 5 ounces (oz) of 12% alcohol by volume

2. Gut health

A 2018 study reports that polyphenols from red wine and grapes can improve the gut microbiota, contributing to a healthy gut.

According to a study done in 2012, red wine compounds may also act as prebiotics, which are compounds that boost healthy gut bacteria. In 2016, researchers suggested red wine could reduce the risk of heart disease through its effects on the gut microbiome. However, the research is limited, and doctors need more evidence before understanding the true effects of red wine on gut health.

3. Type 2 diabetes

One has shown that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner “modestly lessens cardiometabolic risk” in people with type 2 diabetes and that a moderate intake of red wine is usually safe.

The scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a crucial role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute

Anyone with diabetes should check with their doctor before drinking alcohol.

3. Blood pressure

According to the American Heart Association, resveratrol — an antioxidant in red wine — may reduce blood pressure and increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. In 2021, scientists reported that red wine compounds called procyanidins help keep the blood vessels healthy. It is important, however, to note that drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure and arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rhythm.

4. Brain damage after a stroke

A 2015 review reports that resveratrol may help protect against secondary brain damage after a stroke or central nervous system injury. This is due to its positive effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death.

5. Vision loss

Resveratrol may also help prevent vision loss by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, according to 2016 research.
Many forms of age-related eye conditions that cause vision loss involve these factors, including:

• glaucoma
• cataracts
• diabetic retinopathy
• macular degeneration

6. Cancer

Some research says that drinking red wine in moderation could reduce the risk of certain cancers. However, the National Cancer Institute says there is strong evidence that drinking excessive alcohol can cause certain cancers. This is partly because it creates toxins in the body, damages body tissues, and creates oxidation. This would mean that the potential adverse effects of alcohol may outweigh any benefit from resveratrol.

For most people, enjoying red wine in moderation is safe, but it is important to keep in mind that drinking alcohol in excess is harmful.

Some studies, however, link moderate red wine intake with reduced risk or better outcomes in cancer. The following sections look at specific studies into red wine and particular types of cancer.

Breast cancer

Alcohol boosts estrogen levels in the body, a chemical that encourages the growth of cancer cells. However, a 2012 study says that the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in red wine — and to a lesser extent, white wine — may reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone in females approaching menopause. The researchers say that this may be why red wine is less associated with increased breast cancer risk than other types of alcohol.

Lung cancer

A 2017 review reports that resveratrol has protective effects against cancer in both human and laboratory studies. The mechanisms include preventing cell proliferation and tumor growth, inducing cell death in cancer cells, and inhibiting metastasis.

However, again, these effects are for resveratrol rather than red wine itself.

Prostate cancer

A study from 2019Trusted Source reports that males who drank alcohol had a slightly lower risk of lethal prostate cancer, and that red wine consumption was associated with a lower risk of progression to deadly disease. This means that these results mean moderate alcohol consumption is safe for people with prostate cancer.

7. Dementia
According to a 2018, researchers have found an increased risk of dementia in people who abstained from drinking wine. This may because of the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols and other compounds in wine that can lessen inflammation and alter the lipid profile in the body.

8. Depression

A 2013 study on 5,505 people over 7 years showed that those who drank between 2–7 glasses of wine each week had lower levels of depression. They also reported that people who drank heavily were more at risk for depression.

9. Liver disease

Alcohol is a common cause of liver disease. However, a moderate intake of red wine has links with good liver health in some contexts. According to a 2018 study, modest alcohol intake — particularly wine — is linked with lower liver fibrosis in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

That said, the impact of red wine on liver health is complicated. Although it provides antioxidants and reduces oxidative stress, drinking can also increase uric acid and triglycerides, which damages the liver.

10. Could Possibly Extend Your Life

Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce the risk of some chronic disease, as discussed above, so it follows that it may help people to live longer. Indeed, one popularized 2000 study reported that “Men aged 45–64 at entry drinking about 5 drinks per day have a longer life expectancy than occasional and heavy drinkers.” However, this is likely due to bewildering factors, such as diet, as discussed in the 2018 review. For instance, red wine is a common addition to the Mediterranean diet, an eating pattern that has established links with good health and long life.

Red or white wine?

Resveratrol appears to underlie many of the health benefits of red wine. Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine as it is fermented with the skins, while white wine is not. Most of the resveratrol in grapes is in the seeds and skin.

Be Forewarned About Excess Alcohol

Wine consumption may have some health benefits, but drinking too much of any type of alcohol can increase health risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)provide guidance on the health risks of drinking too much alcohol.
They report that excessive alcohol use led to around 88,000 deaths in the United States between 2006–2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. Further, they state that 1 in 10 deaths among adults aged 20–64 years were related to excessive drinking.

The risks of excessive alcohol use include:

• heart problems
• stroke
• fatty liver disease
• liver damage
• mental health conditions
• certain cancers
• pancreatitis
• People may also experience alcohol poisoning and alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking is particularly harmful to health.

Should I drink red wine or not?

For most people, enjoying a glass or two of red wine each day can be part of a healthful diet. The key is moderation. Regardless of the possible health benefits, drinking excess alcohol can do more harm than good.

Ultimately, many of the benefits linked to red wine are due to the beneficial properties of resveratrol. Eating grapes and berries may, therefore, be a more healthful option.

Summary

Drinking red wine in moderation may have certain health benefits, including boosting heart, gut, and brain health. This is because it contains compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-improving effects. If you’re ready to try a top-notch red wine, Click Here!