The health benefits of wine are heavily debated. Learn more about how this popular beverage may be good for your heart, weight, memory, and quality of life.
May 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.
Wine is certainly the healthiest option if you're drinking alcohol. But even those arguing for the health benefits of wine still encourage drinking in moderation. That means one glass of wine a day for women and two for men, ideally consumed alongside a meal. Ironically, drinking more than the recommended limit has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, liver disease, cancer, and high blood pressure.
Consumed in moderation, the health benefits of wine are genuinely exceptional.
5 Reasons to Sip a Glass of Vino
Wine, especially red wine, is full of antioxidants that promote longevity, reduce inflammation, and protect the body from disease. Keep reading to learn about more health benefits that'll make you consider adding a glass of wine to your next meal.
1. Protects Your Heart
The main argument for drinking more wine is that it protects your heart. The "French paradox" puts a name to the surprisingly few cases of heart disease in the French population despite high levels of wine consumption. Scientists believe that the paradox is due to the high levels of antioxidants found in all wines.
The antioxidants in wine are a naturally occurring byproduct of fermenting with grape skins. Since red wine sits on the skins for longer, red wine contains more antioxidants than white or rose. The antioxidants in red wine are called polyphenols, but one in particular, resveratrol, has received attention for its potential health benefits.
Research shows that resveratrol might prevent blood clots and reduce LDL cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. At the same time, wine increases HDL cholesterol levels, which absorbs harmful cholesterol and carries it to the liver for disposal.
The antioxidants in wine are a naturally occurring byproduct of fermenting with grape skins. Since red wine sits on the skins for longer, red wine contains more antioxidants than white or rose. The antioxidants in red wine are called polyphenols, but one in particular, resveratrol, has received attention for its potential health benefits.
Research shows that resveratrol might prevent blood clots and reduce LDL cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. At the same time, wine increases HDL cholesterol levels, which absorbs harmful cholesterol and carries it to the liver for disposal.
2. Promotes Longevity
Resveratrol supports a healthy heart and is thought to improve longevity. Unfortunately, most studies on resveratrol and longevity are on single-celled organisms, so their effect on humans is still up for debate. However, resveratrol's ability to counter age-related diseases has exciting prospects in health and wellness.
Resveratrol has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants prevent cell damage by fighting free radicals in the body. Free radicals are the natural byproduct of certain body functions, such as our metabolism or exposure to outside factors like air pollution and industrial chemicals. A diet high in antioxidants is thought to counter these effects and extend living organisms' lives.
One self-reported study on alcohol consumption conducted in Europe showed that people who drank moderately had fewer inflammatory markers than those who did not drink. This implies that wine promotes longevity and increases the quality of life as you age by reducing pain and risk of disease.
Resveratrol has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants prevent cell damage by fighting free radicals in the body. Free radicals are the natural byproduct of certain body functions, such as our metabolism or exposure to outside factors like air pollution and industrial chemicals. A diet high in antioxidants is thought to counter these effects and extend living organisms' lives.
One self-reported study on alcohol consumption conducted in Europe showed that people who drank moderately had fewer inflammatory markers than those who did not drink. This implies that wine promotes longevity and increases the quality of life as you age by reducing pain and risk of disease.
3. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is an underlying pathology of many diseases. Increasing evidence shows that abnormal inflammatory responses are a factor in certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and diabetes. In essence, high levels of inflammation can cause disease to manifest or exacerbate existing problems.
By adding anti-inflammatory food and drink to your diet, you can effectively counteract the adverse effects of inflammation, reducing the symptoms of the disease. Research on the anti-inflammatory benefits of wine is ongoing. Some studies suggest that wine reduces inflammation, and others do not show a marked difference.
Of all the alcoholic beverages you could choose, wine certainly does the most to reduce inflammation. However, excessive consumption of any alcohol increases inflammation, so be sure to stick to the recommended limits.
By adding anti-inflammatory food and drink to your diet, you can effectively counteract the adverse effects of inflammation, reducing the symptoms of the disease. Research on the anti-inflammatory benefits of wine is ongoing. Some studies suggest that wine reduces inflammation, and others do not show a marked difference.
Of all the alcoholic beverages you could choose, wine certainly does the most to reduce inflammation. However, excessive consumption of any alcohol increases inflammation, so be sure to stick to the recommended limits.
4. Helps Maintain Your Waistline
Light to moderate consumption of wine is thought to protect against weight gain. But, on the other hand, spirits are absolutely associated with adding unwanted pounds.
Again, studies on the health benefits of wine are conflicting. For example, one study on the effects of wine on people's blood sugar with obesity showed no improvement compared to the control group. Meanwhile, other studies showed a pronounced difference in insulin sensitivity and glycemic status.
Excess sugar in the bloodstream causes your body to put it into storage naturally. Sugar is stored in the liver and muscles but also fat. Over time, the extra sugar causes weight gain. By regulating blood sugar levels, wine could potentially keep your body from holding onto excess sugar by storing it in fat.
If you're trying to lose weight, red wine contains less sugar than white and rose. Red wine contains about 0.9 grams per serving, while white contains about 1.4 grams per serving.
Again, studies on the health benefits of wine are conflicting. For example, one study on the effects of wine on people's blood sugar with obesity showed no improvement compared to the control group. Meanwhile, other studies showed a pronounced difference in insulin sensitivity and glycemic status.
Excess sugar in the bloodstream causes your body to put it into storage naturally. Sugar is stored in the liver and muscles but also fat. Over time, the extra sugar causes weight gain. By regulating blood sugar levels, wine could potentially keep your body from holding onto excess sugar by storing it in fat.
If you're trying to lose weight, red wine contains less sugar than white and rose. Red wine contains about 0.9 grams per serving, while white contains about 1.4 grams per serving.
5. Improves Memory
A long-term study published in 2020 by the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease suggests that both wine and cheese can benefit your memory. Adding wine to your meal also prevents you from feeling the effects of the alcohol and protects your liver.
The participants who drank wine showed evidence of cognitive improvement, including an improved ability to problem solve and think on the spot. However, drinking an excess of wine has been linked to cognitive decline. Therefore, moderation and responsible drinking habits are essential for wine's health benefits.
The participants who drank wine showed evidence of cognitive improvement, including an improved ability to problem solve and think on the spot. However, drinking an excess of wine has been linked to cognitive decline. Therefore, moderation and responsible drinking habits are essential for wine's health benefits.
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The Wine Ritual
Most doctors would not recommend adding a glass of red wine to your diet. However, if you already drink wine, it could improve the health of your heart, memory, waistline, and quality of life as you age. Drinking wine with food also adds to the ritual of your meal.
Particular wines pair well with specific foods, and you can make the whole experience more about trying wine instead of drinking alcohol. So next time you choose a drink, consider these five health benefits of wine and make the healthier choice for your body!
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