It seems that every year, headlines about the positive effects of consuming wine appear on different social media pages and magazine articles. But how significant are these health benefits that come with consuming red or white wine? The good news is that the contents of these articles are from the latest developments of scientific studies.
There are a lot of naysayers who fight with every fiber in
their body against the proofs of health benefits associated with drinking wine,
but it’s hard to argue with science. You can find 15 of the hard-to-believe but
totally true health benefits of wine consumption in this article. So grab a
glass of wine and let’s toast to our health.
It cuts the risk of strokes
Consuming wine and other alcoholic beverages in moderation
prevent blood clotting. The alcohol contents act to thin our blood, preventing
buildup in arteries that could potentially cause a stroke. Be wary of how much
you consume, since large quantities can have the opposite effect.
Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
Studies indicate that resveratrol, a phenol found in red
wine, can improve the way our body deals with processing insulin. Resistance to
the hormone excreted by the pancreas is a large contributor to contracting type
2 diabetes. Moderate drinkers are 30% less likely to develop the disease
compared to nondrinkers.
It diminishes the risk of cataracts
A study done in 2001 concluded that nondrinkers and heavy
drinkers of any type of alcoholic beverage showed a significantly increased
risk of developing cataracts. Meanwhile, red wine drinkers who consumed in
moderation were 32% less likely to develop the eye-afflicting condition in
later years in life.
It enhances our cognitive functions
Wine is literally food for thought. Having a glass or two of
wine every month can improve the way our brains function. Basically, the
chemical structure of red wine protects neurons in our brains from dying. This,
in turn, prevents or delays the effects of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and
Parkinson’s.
It keeps the blues away
Most people know that having a glass of wine is a great way
to relax, but it’s also effective in fighting depression. Studies in Spain
found men and women who drank up to seven glasses of wine per week were less
likely to be depressed compared to their nondrinking counterparts.
It limits acne breakouts
The lovable resveratrol hinders the growth of bacteria that
causes acne. In fact, it’s even more effective than benzoyl peroxide – a
chemical made to combat moderate cases of acne. Research shows that limiting
acne breakouts involves the consumption of wine and not a topical application.
It lowers cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is the blood vessel-coating plaque that we are
so afraid of. Resveratrol-rich red wine is believed to decrease LDL cholesterol
(the bad cholesterol) and improve HDL cholesterol (the good type). Sensible
consumption of alcohol, especially red wine, can lead to HDL increases of up to
12%.
It reduces the risk of heart-related diseases
Tannins found in red wine have procyanidins which serve to
fight heart disease. Regular – but controlled – consumption of wine can
encourage better blood cell growth, improved blood flow and decreased risk
factors for heart conditions. In the end, cardiovascular diseases can be kept
at bay by light drinking.
It prevents liver-related diseases
Drinking moderate quantities of wine has been linked to
reduced risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases by up to 50%! However, your
drink has to be wine since beer and hard liquor increases the risk for liver
disease by up to four times compared to nondrinkers.
It promotes better bone growth
As the years go by, our bones become more fragile and prone
to damage. Improving bone density means increasing calcium intake, but sipping
of a glass of wine can also have the same benefits as milk. Red wine is rich in
silicon, a chemical that promotes bone density.
It promotes longer lives
Healthy living and longevity usually bring the Mediterranean
diet to mind. What we should know is that wine is a vital part of the diet.
Once again, we have resveratrol to thank for increasing our lifespan. The
phenol activates an anti-aging protein that keeps us looking and feeling young.
It protects against free radicals
Since free radicals can cause horrible health problems like
cancer, we need antioxidants to prevent them from striking. Wine contains high
antioxidant levels that attack free radicals when they come sniffing around. If
you’re looking for a wine chock-full of antioxidants, choose a white wine.
It protects against sunburn
Wine-drinking has been connected to the reduced effects of
ultraviolet rays. Flavonoids (cool-sounding phenols found in wine) inhibit
reactive oxygen species (ROS) which stimulate enzymes to gnaw on our skin
cells. A topical application of wine shouldn’t be your main weapon against
sunburn, but it can definitely help.
It reduces the risk of cancer
In the war against cancerous cells, be happy that wine is on
our side. The antioxidants in wine can prevent the growth of prostate, breast,
and colon cancer cells. Again and again, we owe much to the resveratrol found
in red wine for combating both heart disease and cancer growth.
It reduces the risk of heart attacks
The alcohol content, paired with antioxidants and
resveratrol, can prevent coronary artery disease which is a gateway to heart
attacks. Previous studies indicate that the resveratrol is linked to a reduced
risk of blood clotting and inflammation which are surefire signs of an
underlying heart condition and possibly a heart attack.
Note to reader: Health benefits only come from
moderate consumption of wine! The American Heart Association has defined
moderate wine drinking as having up to 8 oz. of wine per day.
