7 Surprising Health Benefits of Red Win
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Aug 14, 2019
- 3 min read
Introduction:
Alcohol is not a healthy choice but when it comes to red wine, it has actually been linked to a host of benefits that can make it a smart addition to your diet, from aiding digestion and weight loss to staving off certain diseases.
Red vs. White Wine
The color of wine is determined by the color of the grapes used to make it, and whether the crushed grapes are pressed before or after fermentation.
With red wine, the grapes are crushed and stored in vats to ferment with their skins on, while white wine is fermented without the grape skins. Because many beneficial compounds are found in grape skins, red wine is slightly higher in nutrients.
While all wines contain polyphenol antioxidants or natural compounds that help protect our cells from damage red wine has the most. Most of the health benefits offered by red wine are linked to an antioxidant known as resveratrol, which is found in the skin of grapes as well as other berries.
The Health Benefits of Red Wine
Research has linked the antioxidants in red wine to a surprising number of health benefits.
But before you stock your wine rack, keep in mind that the key with any alcoholic beverage is moderation. According to the CDC adult men should stick to two drinks while adult women should stick to two drinks.
Warning
The CDC notes that some people should not drink alcohol at all, including:
Anyone younger than 21
Women who are or may be pregnant
Those with certain medical conditions, or who may be taking medications that interact with alcohol
Recovering alcoholics
An occasional glass of red wine, though, may offer the following perks.
1. Aids Weight Loss
Several studies have concluded that the resveratrol in red wine can help you drop pounds. One of the more recent, a June 2015 study conducted at Washington State University and published in the International Journal of Obesity, found that the compound helps convert "white fat," which the body stores, to "beige fat," which it can more easily convert into energy (aka burn off). In this way, the researchers concluded, resveratrol helps fight obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
2. May Prevent Dementia
Drinking too much vino might make you start forgetting things. But in moderation, red wine might help improve your memory in the long run.
According to a research found that regular, moderate red wine drinkers had a significantly lower chance of developing dementia.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure
Red wine doesn't only help you feel more relaxed; it can actually help lower your blood pressure.
4. May Improve Heart Health
Red wine could be good for your ticker. It has the ability to help reduce the risk of heart disease due to the way that resveratrol changes the gut microbiome.
5. Could Help Prevent Breast Cancer in Some
Red wine (or more specifically, the grapes used in red wine) contains aromatase inhibitors (AIs) that work to decrease estrogen levels and increase testosterone in women who are nearing menopause.
6. Helps with Digestion
Polyphenols like resveratrol may help promote digestion because they feed the good bacteria in your gut.
7. May Improve Fertility
While drinking alcohol is a no-no during pregnancy, some research has found that red wine may boost a woman's chances of conceiving.
However, it should be noted that the CDC recommends that sexually active women who are trying to conceive (read: have stopped using birth control) should stop drinking alcohol, to prevent the possibility of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Which Red Wine Is Best?
While any type of red wine will contain antioxidants, some contain more than others. Cabernet sauvignon, for example, has the highest level of flavonoids than any other wine, followed by pinot noir and Syrah.
When it comes to taste and aroma, quality certainly matters, according to Taub-Dix. However, as far as health benefits are concerned, a bottle of cheap red wine is going to reap you the same benefits as a pricier cab.
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