Does drinking wine have any benefits?
Even as you read this, you are probably sipping a glass of wine along with some great dinner with family or friends. Well, maybe not. But truth is, we have all had some wine at some point in our lives, whether it is a refreshingly tasty fruit wine, a rich, flavourful red wine or even its white wine alternative. Many people just drink wine because they see it as something to be taken with a meal. Some others see it as a necessity on dates, while others just like the tipsy feeling they get after three glasses at night. Yet not many has paid attention to whether wine has some health benefits for us.
Just so you know, it is hugely beneficial to drink wine, according to ongoing research. Some health experts even encourage that you take not more than a glass of wine every day to take advantage of its immense health benefits. But not all wines carry the same level of goodness. Red and white wine are a great source of several ingredients and compounds that can keep your body healthy. We have put together a list of what you stand to gain by drinking wine moderately.
- Good for your heart
There is a link between cardiovascular health and moderate consumption of red wine. In fact, there are several studies like a recent review published in 2019 showed that controlled red wine consumption may help people avoid coronary heart disease. This is largely attributed to high amounts of polyphenol antioxidants which keep your blood pressure in check and may help to prevent metabolic diseases and high cholesterol.
- Contains antioxidants
Oxidative stress and inflammation are two closely related conditions that lead to cellular damage in the body. Wine is an antioxidant-rich beverage that can help prevent this damage. This is due to the high levels of polyphenols present in grapes, especially the type found in red wine, that prevents the ruthless operation of free radicals. Red wine grapes contain more antioxidants and can help your blood gain more antioxidants than its white counterpart. Diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s which are linked to oxidative stress are some conditions that wine can help prevent.
- Fights inflammation
Inflammation is another compound that red wine can fight against. When inflammation becomes chronic, you may face the risk of certain cancers, autoimmune disorders or even heart disease. Note that inflammation is simply your body’s response to harmful agents like infection. While this should normally last some hours or a few days, chronic inflammation occurs when this process lingers. Due to the presence of resveratrol– with immense anti-inflammatory properties- in wine, the super drink can help reduce inflammatory.
This is also supported by several studies, like one that involved 2,900 women who witnessed a reduction in inflammatory markers by consuming a moderate glass of wine each day.
- Promotes gut health
Your gut is another big beneficiary of wine, especially because of its ability to promote healthy bacteria. The healthy bacteria in your gut required for improved metabolism, especially for people with obesity, can be boosted and strengthened by wine for improved health. This again has a lot to do with polyphenols available in grapes used in red wine. A 2018 systematic review showed that such polyphenols can lead to a beneficial microbial ecology in humans. This is because of the modulation of the gut microbiota.
- Improved mental health
Apart from reducing the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, there are indications that wine, when taken occasionally, can help prevent and fight against depression. There are other published reports establishing a link between neurological health and wine. However, it is important to note that excessive wine consumption can do the opposite, leading to depression and other side effects.
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