After a tiring day at work, you come home tired and tensed and pop the cork open to drink some wine. We drink red wine on a nice romantic candlelight dinner. We sip it after a long day at work. Get-togethers’ or celebrations, this lovely drink makes it to the table all the time. Wine is a center for our happiness and makes us relax after the daily chores.
The news headlines keep flooding with various health tips and benefits of wine. But does drinking wine help, does it really make a difference? The wine has a slew of astounding health benefits that you may have imagined.
From boosting your cognitive skills to fighting cancer cells, a little red wine can go a long way when we speak of its beneficial effects. Drinking moderate amounts of wine per day can act as a powerful health elixir.
What Is Red Wine?
Wine is a beverage that is prepared by crushing and fermenting whole grapes. There are many varieties of wine that differ in taste and color (white wine and red wine). This depends on the species of grapes selected to make the wine. The common types of wine include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, Shiraz, Merlot, and Zinfandel.
Before we talk about the health benefits of red wine it is important to consider the pour size. The correct pour of wine is 5-ounce. For ladies its one glass while for men two glasses make the limit.
Now, sway away from the guilt of drinking wine as you read these surprising health benefits of red wine –
Health Benefits Of Red Wine
Promotes Longevity
There are quite many evidence and studies that prove wine drinkers have a lower mortality rate. Red wine has a beneficial effect due to the many antioxidants it contains. These compounds fight free radicals and protect the body.
Wine drinkers are less prone to heart ailments which increase mortality rates significantly. A glass of wine a day can give you a longer and healthier life.
Grandma’s Remedy For Those Annoying Sniffles
Researchers have proved that the old time’s grandma’s cold remedy has a truth factor. Red wine consists of vitamins that boost your immune system.
People who drink wine on a moderate basis are less likely to come down with cold as compared to those who indulge themselves in drinking beer or alcohol.
Increases Bone Density
Our bones tend to become brittle with age. The most common way to strengthen your bones is drinking milk that replenishes your calcium intake every day. However, you can give yourself a treat by sipping a glass of red wine.
Red wine has high amounts of silicone that increases bone mineral density and reduces the chance of osteoporosis.
Cuts Risks Of Cancer
It’s surprising to know that it has the potential to cut the risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer. Red grapes have many enzymes and antioxidants that have the power to kill cancer cells and thus drinking wine prepared from them can be beneficial.
Regulates Blood Sugar Level And Slashes Risk Of Diabetes
Wine is copious in polyphenols that interact with fat storage and sugar regulation in the body. Also, resveratrol present in wine improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Thus it’s a critical agent that helps to slash off Type 2 Diabetes risk.
Time To Shove Of The Blues And Reduce Stress
Wine and alcohol help you revive from stress and get rid of the blues of life. Men and women who drank 1-7 glasses of red wine a week are less prone to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety. There are other lifestyle factors that could influence the rate of depression in people.
Beats A Trip To The Gym
These days many of us love to stay fit. We slave ourselves at the gym to lose those extra pounds, but what if we told you drinking wine can beat your trips to the gym? Surprised!!
Reduces The Risk Of Heart Attacks
The antioxidants present in wine are responsible for giving you a healthy heart. It lowers bad cholesterol and increased levels of good cholesterol in the body.
Wine prevents clots in the blood vessels thereby reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
Enhances Cognitive Function
Do you drink wine daily? It may sound crazy but this helps improve cognition and acts like a brain tonic when moderate drinking is practiced.
The chemicals present in the wine protect the neurons and brain cells from dying off. As a result, it slows the onset of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Side Effects Of Red Wine
Drinking alcohol in moderation can show so many health benefits. However, if the pour size increases considerably, increased consumption can lead to addiction and its devastating effects. Let’s note down some side effects of wine for you here:
- Alcohol dependence
- Liver cirrhosis
- Weight gain
- Increased risk of depression
- Increased mortality rates and premature deaths
Wine has to offer many health benefits, but that doesn’t mean you pour down bottles after bottles in your glasses and gulp them down every day! Look at it as a big picture. Prepare a complete healthy meal packed with veggies and legumes savored with a small glass of wine. Enjoy the wine with friends and family without feeling guilty!!
She is a pharmacist by education and working in the field of medical content development for more than 9 years. She has an excellent hold on medical content research and development and has produced valuable data for various pharmaceutical companies.