Knowledge is freedom and I have something interesting for you to know that just loosens some of the shackles of ignorance and helps you make better health choices and consequently helps you understand what is beneficial and what is not. To start with, the answer to the title of this article is an absolute YES. I know one stereotype that comes with wine, whatever color it`s in, is that it is bad or unhealthy because it contains alcohol. However, when we hold up a critical microscopic view on the many activities and intakes we are used to taking or doing, we find out that some of these things we outright castigate and tag as bad are actually a part of them. What does this tell us? Nothing in itself is bad, really. It only becomes bad when it is abused. Many of these things could help in ways you can`t imagine. There are a number of herbal mixtures that contain alcohol as well. I could go on and on about the many misconceptions we have, but that is not the direction we are heading. So, we have said that red wine is healthy. The next big question is how.
So How Is Red Wine Healthy?
Ever poured yourself a glass of a 1949 Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru just to get that feeling of utter bliss? Well, it turns out the Red wine can do more than just provide that great satisfaction; it could also have health benefits. Red wine when taken in moderation according to some research studies has been said to contribute many beneficent healthy effects to the heart. Alcohol and certain substances in red wine could also assist in preventing coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. These substances could be referred to as antioxidants. Although, there are no definite conclusions that prove that red wine leads to lesser risks of heart attacks. Many studies just agree that it could work. Funny right? Everything as said earlier, could be useful. You just need to know how it can be useful and you should do things in moderation. Those studies do find common ground on the benefits of red wine, arriving at the conclusion that the contents of the red wine which we refer to as antioxidants may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and also guard against cholesterol accumulation.
Let`s Move On…
With that said, alcohol still has its side effects and could lead to addiction for many. Hence, it is why medical practitioners are wary of encouraging anyone to take it, even for medicinal or health benefits. Many of them are cautious of prescribing it, not because it is bad in its make up, but because humans are unpredictable and can easily fall off the wagon. But, as earlier mentioned, in moderation, there is no problem at all. It is perfectly safe. Regardless, one undisputed fact that many doctors are agreed upon is that something in red wine appears to be of some benefit to your heart. The summation made by these medical personnel that it is possible that substances present in the content of red wine like antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol which we briefly talked about as one of the 9 herbal remedies for curing prostate cancer in one of our previously published articles on Prostate Cancer, have heart-healthy benefits. Also, antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols could help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that has received all the focus.
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol could be gotten from sources like the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries. It might also be the only key ingredient in red wine that actually contributes to better health. It prevents damage to blood vessels, reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and prevents blood clots. Some studies reveal that resveratrol could be potent in lowering the risk of inflammation and blood clotting, which are heavily linked to causal factors that lead to heart disease.
Red wine’s potential heart-healthy benefits look promising, at least for those who apply some level of moderation when taking alcohol, including red wine because they seem to have a lower risk of heart disease.
Let`s Talk About Intake Rate
Having said so much about moderation, it`s just fair we discuss how moderate moderation is. *winks*
Here`s a suggestion on a moderate intake.
- Up to one drink a day for women of all ages.
- Up to one drink a day for men older than age 65.
- Up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. The limit for men is higher because men generally weigh more and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol than women do.
A drink is defined as:
- 12 ounces (355 milliliters, or mL) of beer
- 5 ounces (148 mL) of wine
- 5 ounces (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits. [1]
Other Health Benefits of Red Wine
Red wine has been linked with some other benefits asides those of antioxidants such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins.
Cancer Risk Reduction
The risk of cancer reduces with moderate intake of red wine. Some studies have shown that wine consumption in moderation is associated with a lesser risk of several cancers like colon cancer, basal cell cancer, prostate cancer and even ovarian cancer.
What About Dementia?
Dementia is a haunting affliction. Fortunately, red wine could help you reduce the possibility of that. Drinking 1–3 glasses of wine every day has been acclaimed to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Depression Too?
Pop open a bottle of Château Lafite and let your depression fly away. A study of middle-aged and elderly people uncovered that those who drank 2–7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to become depressed. “Drink your sorrows and problems away” has never been truer.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a resistance to the hormone, insulin which results in increased blood sugar. So, with a drink of 2 glasses per day of regular or dealcoholized red wine for 4 weeks, insulin resistance reduces.
And Diabetes?
Diabetes is a nasty pickle one tries to avoid in their lifetime. With moderate red wine consumption, there is a chance of reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in women.
What Else?
It has also been discovered that red wine and its content help in maintaining healthy blood vessels and blood pressure. Some scientists from the United Kingdom made a discovery that procyanidins, found in red wine help in keeping the blood vessels healthy.
Final Words…
It seems clear without a doubt that moderate amounts of red wine can be extremely helpful for you in maintaining good health. Also, one could opt for non-alcoholic wines too since most of the components that assist in granting a clean bill of health in the red wine are not alcohol dependent. Enjoy your glass of red wine, ensuring a healthier you, with loads of benefits such as reduced cholesterol accumulation, a healthier heart, reduced risk of cancer dementia, depression, insulin resistance, diabetes, and what else? You get healthy blood vessels; not forgetting the satisfaction.
Reference
Mayo Clinic Staff.(2016). Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://.mayoclinic.org
