Is Red Wine Healthy? RED WINE BENEFITS According to Science

Okay, if you like red wine, we've got some good news for you. Today, we're laying out all the evidence suggesting that drinking red wine is an essential practice for good health. Before we get too deep into the specifics, you'll need to become familiar with resveratrol, which we'll be talking about a lot. Resveratrol is part of a group of compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols act like antioxidants, protecting the body against damage that can put you at risk for things like cancer and heart disease. Resveratrol is found in peanuts, berries, grape skin, and, you guessed it, red wine. Beginning in the 1990s, experts began studying resveratrol and revealed the promising antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and even anti-aging effects. So, if you're interested in protecting yourself against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and a slew of other chronic diseases, pour yourself a glass and keep watching to find out how this amazing elixir can positively impact your health. Red wine keeps your mind sharp. A glass of red wine after a long day can feel like the perfect thing to clear your mind, and based on new studies, it actually is clearing your mind of damaging toxins and inflammation. Published in Scientific Reports, the research showed that low levels of alcohol, equivalent to two glasses of wine or a pint and a half of beer, can flush damaging substances from your brain and help stave off diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia. Studies from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, showed that resveratrol activates a chemical pathway that helps limit stress and damage to DNA cells in the brain, which would otherwise result in aging and disease. Research from John Hopkins Medicine also showed that red wine helps shield the brain from damage following a stroke. Red wine is good for heart health. Resveratrol is not only good for a healthy brain. According to the American Heart Association, the large amount of resveratrol in red wine increases good cholesterol levels and reduces blood pressure. Red wine behaves like a natural blood thinner and reduces inflammation in the human body. Moderate consumption of red wine is also known to prevent blood clotting. The polyphenol antioxidants in red wine help reduce blood clotting by keeping the blood vessels soft and flexible. A recent study reported that drinking red wine has cardioprotective effects that lower coronary heart disease, a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Studies suggest that drinking four to eight ounces of red wine per day can lower your risk of heart disease thanks to its polyphenol content. Red wine is rich in antioxidants for radiant skin. The same polyphenols that aid in heart health are also great for your skin. The high antioxidant content of red wine is responsible for many health benefits, including preventing skin aging, along with flavonoids found in red wine, the antioxidants fight aging by restoring collagen and elastic fibers. This makes the skin look younger, more radiant, and more supple. Consuming red wine stimulates blood circulation, which can prevent wrinkle formation. When red wine is applied directly to the skin, it can inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria and is beneficial in maintaining healthy skin. Essentially, the antioxidants in red wine rejuvenate the skin and keep it bright and glowing. Red wine reduces the risk of cancer. Red wine may protect against several forms of cancer. According to an article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the resveratrol compound prevents cancer, particularly prostate, colon, and breast cancers. Another report suggested that red wine might help to ward off oral cancer. The antioxidants in red wine fight free radicals, which usually allow cancer cells to flourish. Resveratrol also protects the body from carcinogens and prevents the mutation of cancer cells from becoming more resistant to chemotherapy. Red wine prevents obesity. Clinically, there is a difference between overweight and obese. Overweight refers to an excess amount of body weight that may include muscle, bone, fat, and water. On the other hand, obesity specifically refers to excessive amounts of body fat. According to the Global Health Observatory, around 2.8 million people die each year from complications related to obesity. The good news is that red wine contains a chemical compound known as pisacetinol, which can reduce fat cells and help you manage your weight. Pisacetinol blocks the cellular process that allows fat cells to thrive. Consuming moderate amounts of red wine can prevent obesity, but you need to be eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly to reap the true benefits. Red wine boosts the immune system. Research has shown that daily consumption of red wine can boost your immune system. The high levels of flavonoid antioxidants in red wine help combat sickness and prevent viruses from multiplying once they've entered the body. Red wine can also help cure the symptoms of colds and flus, so be sure to pour yourself a glass with dinner the next time you're feeling under the weather. Red wine fights osteoporosis. This may be one of the most surprising benefits of red wine. Studies suggest that drinking red wine can reduce your risk of osteoporosis, an age-related thinning of the bones due to calcium loss. A report in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that women who drank one glass of red wine a day had greater bone mineral density than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers. Bone mineral density is the measure physicians use to determine bone resilience and strength. Drinking red wine can bridge the imbalance between the dissolving old bone and the poor production of the new bone that leads to osteoporosis. Red wine can improve eyesight. The resveratrol in red wine can be beneficial for your eyes as well. This compound prevents age-related deterioration of your eye muscles, known as macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, which records the images that we see. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss and is considered incurable. Resveratrol can prevent the growth of blood vessels in the eyes, which leads to macular degeneration. Red wine protects the teeth from plaque. This is another surprising benefit, considering that drinking red wine can stain your teeth. According to the American Chemical Society, drinking red wine can help prevent dental cavities by hindering the growth of certain bacteria found in oral biofilm. The polyphenols in red wine and grapeseed extract can reduce the bacteria responsible for the formation of tooth decay and plaque. However, just because red wine can help you reduce plaque doesn't mean you should stop your oral hygiene regime. Optimal oral health is still essential. Red wine regulates blood sugar. The Journal of Medical Biochemistry published a study establishing that drinking red wine can help prevent diabetes. Aside from controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, resveratrol also curbs blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Studies have found that drinking a glass of red wine a day decreases the cardiometabolic risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Red wine slows aging and promotes longevity. You may have heard that something about red wine consumption can increase your lifespan and slow down the aging process. Well, drinking red wine in moderation reduces the risks of certain chronic diseases, which could help people live longer. According to research, resveratrol positively affects specific genes linked to old age. The antioxidants activate a protein called sirtuins that acts as an anti-aging agent, resulting in increased overall longevity in humans. Pairing your glass of red wine with a healthy, wholesome meal also strengthens the positive effects of resveratrol on your body. A balanced, healthy diet includes nutrient-packed foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, which coincidentally are the primary components of a Mediterranean diet. And guess what? Drinking wine sits at the heart of this diet, aside from vegetables and olive oil. Overall, studies have proven the positive benefits of regularly drinking red wine, including a longer lifespan, reduced risk of disease, and improved immunity. However, too much of any kind of alcohol can increase health risks, and studies emphasize that the positive benefits of red wine only come with moderate consumption. A glass or two of red wine can form a part of a healthy diet for healthy adults. Ideally, a reasonable measure is one to 1 1⁄2 glasses of red wine a day for women, and one to two glasses a day for men.