Everything is good in moderation and red wine is the proof of this. Red wine is a drink that needs to be enjoyed slowly and swirling makes it more tasteful. A sip of red wine can taste like heaven after a long stressful day; it takes away all the stress and makes us feel relaxed.
And besides this, it also has a number of health benefits until you are not addicted to it and consume it in moderation, obviously. Here are some brief insights into this divine drink and its health benefits.
Benefits of Red Wine on Skin, Hair, Heart, Brain & Health
Benefits Of Red Wine And How It Is Made
Red wine is made up of different varieties of black grapes. The crushing fermenting of black grapes gives us this elixir. It contains around 12-15% of alcohol content. It is available in different varieties and colours depending on its making and maturity. The youngest red wine varies from intense violet in colour to mature wine in brick red and older wine in brown colour. Some of the popular types of red wine are Merlot, Syrah or Shiraz, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache/ Garnacha, Carmenere.
Red wine has a very rich history. In ancient times it was used for medicines, disinfecting wounds, treating diarrhoea and lethargy. It is rich in antioxidants that come from grapes’ skin and help combat free radicals in our bodies.
Research has shown that consuming red wine can be beneficial for our heart, good for managing diabetes, can reduce waist size and have many more health benefits. The regular consumption of red wine can be very beneficial. As per the notable sources, the safe drinking limit for women is 1 glass a day and for men is have 1-2 glasses a day. It should not be consumed daily as it can make you an addict and excess consumption has side effects too.
Health Benefits of Red Wine For Heart, Diabetes & Cancer
1. Improves heart health
One of the many benefits of red wine is that it reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. The antioxidants present in red wine prevent high cholesterol levels, prevent the inner linings of arteries from being damaged and relaxes which lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of blood clots, and increases the production of good cholesterol which keeps our heart safe and away from diseases.
2. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
Ethanol which is present in red wine plays an important role in metabolizing glucose and polyphenol manages blood sugar levels. Drinking red wine in moderation and most importantly after consulting your doctor can reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Tannic acid which is another compound found in red wine can aid in diabetic treatment. Red wine also has anti-inflammatory properties and inflammation is the main reason that diabetes develops. Therefore, due to its anti-diabetic properties, the benefits of red wine are widely known.
3. Prevents cancer
Some research says that drinking red wine in moderation could reduce the risk of certain cancers. However, the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source say there is strong evidence that drinking alcohol can cause certain cancers, especially drinking heavily over time.
The number of antioxidants present in red wine protects our cells from damage and removes the free radicals from our body which reduces the risk of cancer. Drinking red wine in moderation can induce the natural death of cells and destroy cancer cells. It prevents colon, prostate, breast and lung cancer. Studies have shown that drinking red wine can be so helpful in treating cancer that doctors never advise quitting red wine while treatment. It can protect our tissues from the detrimental effects of radiation and increase the effects of chemotherapy, which helps in curing cancer.
Benefits Of Red Wine In Weight Loss
4. Prevents weight gain
The antioxidants present in red wine can help combat obesity by converting bad fat into calorie-burning fat. Some red wines also contain insoluble fibre which helps in easing digestion and weight loss. It also reduces stress which controls cravings and overeating. Red wine contains fewer calories so drinking it will not add up much to your weight.
5. Benefits of red wine in increasing lifespan
Resveratrol, an antioxidant, can enhance longevity by up to 60%. This is also found in peanuts, berries, cocoa beans and grapes. Consuming red wine reduces the risk of many chronic diseases which increase the risk of early death. It also slows down the effects of ageing. It has been added to the Mediterranean diet because of its enriching benefits.
6. Good for bones
Red wine prevents metabolic syndrome, it improves bone formation, likely increases the density of spinal bone and stimulates bone-forming cells in our body. It also reduces inflammation which impacts bone loss. Red wine can also helps in maintaining bone strength in older women and especially after menopause and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Benefits Of Red Wine For Brain & Mental Health
7. Relieves stress and fights depression
Having a glass of red wine with your dinner can make you feel relaxed and even improve sleep quality. It stimulates protein, activates the genes that repair DNA, promotes longevity and suppresses tumour genes. It can also reduce the risk of developing depression, but it is not suitable for pregnant women.
8. Improves brain health
The other benefits of red wine are that it improves the working of the brain and cognitive skills. It also prevents damage to brain cells. The anti-inflammatory substances present in red wine prevent us from diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The catechins present in red wine also protect the brain against injuries and damage.
9. Improves sleep quality
Red wine contains high content of melatonin which helps us sleep. Drinking red wine 3-4 hours before sleeping can improve your sleep quality and prevent restless sleep. Studies have also shown that people who drank red wine slept better than people who drank plain water.
Benefits Of Red Wine For Skin And Hair
10. Good for skin
The benefits of red wine help in slowing down ageing, restoring the original glow, protecting from harmful UV rays and can fight acne. The antioxidants and antibacterial properties present in red wine can work like magic on your skin. It can also treat sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
11. Makes your hair thick and shiny
Rinsing your hair with red wine after shampoo and conditioning can solve your many hair related problems. Drinking red wine also increases blood circulation in our scalp and reduces hair loss. It makes our hair shinier and thicker.
Some More Health Benefits Of Red Wine
12. Strengthens the immune system
A small glass of red wine every day can make our immune system stronger and helps us fight viruses and infections. It develops our immunity power and protects us against many severe diseases.
13. Prevents vision loss
Next on the list of benefits of red wine is that it reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. Red wine prevents us from age-related vision loss. It also reduces the risk of cataracts and can even treat them by increasing the levels of glutathione in our body. It prevents the excess growth of blood vessels in our eyes, which reduces the risk of blindness.
14. Protects from liver diseases
Most alcohols are not considered good for our liver but red wine is. It boosts the level of omega 3 fatty acids which are good for our liver as well as heart health. Moderation is the key, drinking red wine in moderation can prevent us from fatty liver diseases.
Side effects of excessive consumption of red wine
Drinking excess red wine has side effects too, it is really important to maintain moderation. Some of the side effects are-
- Alcohol poisoning
- Heart problems
- Liver damage
- Weight gain
- Increases risk of stroke
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Birth defects in infants if consumed during pregnancy
- Not good for women who are breastfeeding
- Hamper muscle repairing
- Can also lead to blood thinning
- Asthma
- Gout
Disclaimer: Please note that excessive drinking is harmful to health. And we suggest you consult your doctor first.