8 Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine Backed by Science

Drinking red wine has been part of religious, social, and cultural traditions for centuries. In Medieval times, Benedictine monasteries thought that moderate drinking of wine increases the life expectancy of their monks and serves as a remedy for certain illnesses. The health benefits of drinking wine have been discussed since time immemorial. While this has become a debatable issue in recent years, modern studies reveal the truth behind these claims.

Today, reputable wine club memberships like Firstleaf Club introduce you to a selection of great-tasting wines tailored to your taste and budget, and they can even be shipped at your convenience. At a low introductory price of 39.95 for six bottles with free shipping, you can enjoy their portfolio of award-winning wines and a community of wine-lovers to discuss your unique preferences and learn more about wines.

Read on to learn more about the eight benefits of red wine backed up by science.

1. Keeping Your Mind Sharp

Life Sciences reveals that resveratrol in red wine inhibits beta-amyloid protein, a development present in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s Disease. The chemicals in red wine keep the brain’s neurons from decline. There’s also a 2018 report where researchers discovered an increased risk for dementia with people who refrained from drinking wine.

While research in this area is still ongoing, current findings show that red wine consumption made from dark-skinned grapes has neurological significance. Scientists hope to show that with further study, components in red wine may be proven to help slow the neurological damage associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s.

2. Rich in Antioxidants for Better Skin

Red wine is rich in powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which helps protect the blood vessels’ lining in your heart. Darker whole grapes are high in antioxidants like resveratrol, catechins, anthocyanins, and tannins (proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins).

Among all these substances, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are the main antioxidants responsible for giving many health benefits, including preventing the aging of the skin. Along with flavonoids found in wine, they fight aging by restoring collagen and elastic fibers, making the skin look younger, fresher, and more supple.

3. Good for the Heart

Moderate consumption of wine can prevent blood clotting. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the abundance of resveratrol in wine reduces blood pressure and increases good cholesterol levels. Wine acts as a natural blood thinner. It can reduce inflammation in the human body. Polyphenol antioxidants in red wine also help reduce clotting by keeping blood vessels flexible.

A 2019 review reports that drinking red wine has cardioprotective effects and lowers coronary heart disease risk, a leading cause of illness and death in Northern America. However, AHA says that the health benefits from wine drinking may be influenced by other factors and do not prove direct causality. For example, moderate wine drinkers also follow better diets or healthier lifestyles.

While some studies have shown that drinking wine is associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease, heavy alcohol drinking can still damage your heart.

4. Regulates Blood Sugar

A study published in the Journal of Medical Biochemistry establishes that the alcohol in red wine can help prevent diabetes. Aside from controlling cholesterol levels and blood pressure, resveratrol also curbs blood sugar levels in diabetic persons. A 2015 study discovers that drinking a glass of red wine in a day “moderately decreases cardiometabolic risk” of people suffering from type 2 Diabetes.

5. Reducing the Risk of Cancer

According to an article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the resveratrol in red wine prevents cancer, particularly colon, prostate, and breast cancers. The antioxidants fight nasty free radicals that allow cancer cells to flourish. It prevents tumors from growing and inhibits the growth of existing ones. The resveratrol also protects from carcinogens and prevents mutation of cancer cells into being more resistant to chemotherapy. Remember that the reduced risk from cancer is linked only to moderate wine intake, as the National Cancer Institute warns that excessive drinking of alcohol over time can cause several other types of cancers.

6. Helping You Keep Slim

You’d be happy to learn that a chemical compound called piceatannol derived from resveratrol can manage your weight and reduce fat cells. Based on a study, piceatannol blocks cellular processes that allow fat cells to thrive. Sources of piceatannol include grapes, red wine, and other fruits.

7. Improving Your Mood

A 2014 study shows a link between moderate wine and alcohol drinking with an improved mood overall. A recent global survey shows that half of wine and beer drinkers say that it makes them feel mellow and relaxed. If you’re a wine drinker, this is something you already know. Aside from its positive health effects, it’s not wrong to have that occasional glass of wine to help you unwind and relieve stress.

8. Slows Aging and Promotes Longevity

There’s always that claim that something about drinking red wine could increase lifespan and slow down aging. If drinking moderately reduces risks on certain chronic diseases, it could help people live longer.

Resveratrol in red wine positively affects specific genes linked to old age, according to research from Heart Failure Reviews. Antioxidant activates a protein that acts as an anti-aging agent, which leads to increased overall health-promoting longevity in humans.

Pairing a glass of red wine with a healthy meal also strengthens resveratrol’s positive effects on your body. A balanced diet includes nutrient-packed meals rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, which coincidentally are the main components of a Mediterranean diet. And unsurprisingly, drinking wine sits at the heart of this diet aside from vegetables and olive oil.

The Key to These Benefits Is Moderation

The key to reaping the benefits of consuming red wine is drinking in moderation. A glass or two of red wine can be a part of a healthy diet for healthy adults. Ideally, 1-1.5 glasses a day for women and 1-2 glasses a day for men is a reasonable measure. And Yale-New Haven Hospital advises that if you’re currently not a consumer of alcohol, you don’t need to feel that you must start drinking to be healthy.

Learning about the potential health benefits and the proper amount of wine is necessary for making smart decisions about including wine consumption as part of one’s diet. It’s also unnecessary to consume wine by glass alone. You can choose to mix it as a food ingredient and still reap the same benefits. If you want to grab the benefits of red wine then you can visit the best liquor store in Avon, CO where you can get the best quality of wine as per your taste.