For years, health experts have been debating a popular old wives tale that red wine has hidden health benefits. The good news? The rumors are absolutely true. Red wine has many benefits that should be taken seriously. The bad news? You may want to return the crate of red wine you purchased when you heard wine may be good for you. While there are health benefits, drinking copious amounts of wine on a regular basis isn’t good for anyone, and these benefits are only optimal when consuming the right amount. Here, we’ll explore why red wine is good for you, and how you can capitalize on this tipsy health tip.
It Can Protect Your Heart
You read that correctly! Red wine can actually improve the functions of the heart. With a heavy dose of polyphenols – the antioxidants in red wine – your body’s blood vessels can become more flexible. This can greatly reduce any concern of blood clots.
It Can Help Lower Cholesterol
A study done in 2012 spearheaded this popular research topic; 224 people were chosen to partake in a 2 year study where 3 groups of individuals drank either mineral water, a dry white wine, or a dry red wine while following a dietitian’s direction every night with dinner. What this study showed is that the group drinking the red wine had significantly lowered their cholesterol. This was thanks to an intake of good HDL cholesterol.
It’s Full Of Antioxidants
Another of the beneficial properties in red wine is resveratrol – one of the common polyphenols found in red wine. This is found in the skins of red grapes, blueberries, cranberries, and other fruits fermented during the winemaking process. While these do help to protect your heart as I mentioned earlier, they can also help to protect your brain function, and keep your skin clear and healthy.
Of course, it’s important to note that chronic drinking is in no way healthy for you. The amount of alcohol tested in many of these studies is around 5-6 ounces of wine. New studies emerge every year with even more information about the risks and benefits, so be sure to consult a physician before taking on any dietary advice that may sound a little too good to be true.
For now, we can certainly rejoice in knowing a little bit of red wine won’t hurt you at all.