It’s no secret that I love my full-bodied reds. So, I was happily obliged to take a deep dive into the true benefits of red wine consumption and enjoying the research most necessary to deliver an accurate and definitive cause and effect. Now I must provide a disclaimer here: that this information is in no way recommending anyone indulge in alcohol consumption, especially if you are not a drinker or have a history of addition. But if you enjoy drinking wine moderately, like myself, let’s discover if the benefits of red wine consumption are more than just wishful thinking. Additionally, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we seek to understand if there are specific risks or benefits for women’s health. Here are a few of the most notable benefits of red wine: (Read More)
Resveratrol – A polyphenol that often gets attention for its health benefits. Reds, enriched with powerful antioxidants such as resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin and proanthocyanins are all responsible for the buzz around the health benefits of our beloved reds. With an alcohol content of 12% – 15%, the darker the grape, the higher the antioxidants.
Tempranillo – A high fiber found in some varieties of red grapes, such as Rioja, helps to regulate cholesterol levels by lowering bad cholesterol.
Polyphenols – A certain type of antioxidant present in red wines, keeps the blood vessels flexible and prevents unwanted clotting. This is why red wine has long been considered to be a Heart Healthy option.
Blood Sugar – Resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape skins, assists in controlling blood sugar levels in people with pre-diabetes as well as stabilizing systolic blood pressure.
Memory – Resveratrol yet has another benefit helping to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid protein, a key ingredient affecting the brains of Alzheimer patients. As we age, we suddenly become aware of our brain health making this discovery a hopeful wellness effect of red wine.
Digestion – The anti-bacterial nature of red wines, helps to treat stomach irritation such as H-Pylori. Additionally, the chemical compound piceatannol converted from resveratrol reduces the fat cell in our body.
Depression – Studies have found that middle age to elderly people who drink red wine, are less likely to be depressed. Since wine consumption is also a social tradition, enjoying the complexity of red wines together, naturally creates bonding.
Now onto the differences of wine consumption for men vs. women. In the documentary “The Truth About Alcohol”, they highlight the new guidelines of weekly alcohol consumption for men and women. The new recommendation for men is 14 units a week, the same as women, the equivalent of about seven pints of beer as compared to 21 units back in 1995. To translate, a medium glass of wine is equal to about two units. It is recommended to spread out consumption over several days. The new guidelines released in 2016 are due to the possible link between alcohol consumption and cancer and states that alcohol is a carcinogen, does not actually help you sleep better, can lead to weight gain and does more damage than good. Additional findings show some heart healthy benefits for women aged 55 and over, however the benefits are depleted once the amount of consumption exceeds the recommended guidelines.
Therefore, weighing in the benefits of red wine together with the caution and recommended guidelines, all boils down to moderation. As with any wellness seeking lifestyle, our constant balance to nourish our bodies and enjoy the delicacies of life is a conscious effort. So, enjoy in moderation and in good health whilst remembering to savor each moment.
Santé
Salute
Ganbei
Prost
Kanpai
Salud
Egészségedre
CHEERS, from me to you!