As children, we’ve all been taught that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, as we reach adulthood, many of us start clinging to a slightly different belief – that a glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away. Well, let’s see.
Of course, we’re all well aware that alcohol can have adverse effects, but a single glass of red wine with some supper can be a healthy combination. After all, wine is lauded for its beneficial properties that help maintain a moderate drinker’s overall health and well-being. Let’s find out whether this is true and dive deeper into the qualities and potentials of red wine.
The French paradox – wine and longevity
The belief that high-quality organic wine is good for health has been prevalent across human history. The ancient Greeks used wine to cure illnesses. The early Christians believed in the healing properties of wine. However, our modern understanding of red wine and its benefits stems from a simple theory known as the French paradox.
The French paradox, introduced in the 1980s, suggests that wine is the reason why France has relatively low mortality rates caused by coronary heart disease (CHD). Compared to countries like the UK and the US, France has a diet rich in saturated fats (known to cause CHD). The French use tobacco products just as much as the people in the UK and the US. Still, CHD mortality is lower.
The only difference seemed to be the higher consumption of red wine in France than anywhere else. Therefore, the conclusion was that wine could lower the risk of CHD death. Unfortunately, that’s more a myth than a fact, as many factors can contribute to CHD. Still, even though the French paradox might have wrongly attributed the lower CHD mortality to wine, that is not to say that wine does not have health benefits – quite the contrary.
The potential benefits of wine
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that drinking red wine in moderation can positively impact your overall health and well-being, just take a look at some of the potential health benefits of wine.
Prevention of cellular damage
Red wine is rich in antioxidants like resveratrol, tannin, quercetin, and catechin – all critical for helping your body fight off infections, inflammations, and oxidative stress.
Antioxidants prevent cellular damage and protect from free radicals, promoting a number of benefits. Although many foods and dietary supplements are rich in antioxidants, few have a high concentration of potent antioxidant combinations.
Improvement of cardiovascular health
Red wine has cardioprotective properties that improve heart health, impacting circulation, high blood pressure, and overall metabolism. Due to red wine’s high polyphenol antioxidant concentration, those who drink in moderation could see improvements to their cardiovascular health.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that red wine can improve heart health in already healthy individuals. Red wine has little to no effect on the heart health of patients suffering from heart disease. Moreover, the alcohol content of red wine could negatively interact with medications taken.
Regulation of blood sugar
Resveratrol, found in the skin and seeds of grapes, could help manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It can improve HDL levels and fasting blood glucose while lowering insulin resistance and glycated hemoglobin.
Although consumption of red wine can decrease blood sugar levels, it depends on the type of wine it is. Depending on the amount of sugar in the wine, your blood glucose levels could increase. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to go for dry red wines with lower sugar content.
Mental health improvement
While alcohol as a whole is a depressant that can negatively impact your mental health, moderate consumption of red wine may have some moderately positive effects. Thanks to the high concentration of resveratrol, red wine has antidepressant and neuroprotective properties that could lower the risks of developing depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other mental health conditions.
Regulation of the digestive system
Red wine drinkers enjoy its natural anti-bacterial properties that can soothe digestive problems by eliminating bad gut bacteria and promoting the growth and greater diversity of the good gut biome.
However, the key is moderation, which typically means no more than 250ml of red wine a day. Higher alcohol consumption can harm the digestive system, preventing you from adequately absorbing vital nutrients.
Final thoughts
Red wine isn’t a miracle cure that can alleviate any and all health issues, especially when taken in larger quantities. However, it is a beneficial beverage packed with antioxidants that could positively impact your mental and physical well-being. It does not just end here. It can be very delicious, especially if you pair it with the right recipe. So, consume it in moderation and enjoy your evening.
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