The 8 Health Benefits Of Drinking Red Wine

We’ve heard it before – red wine is good for your overall well-being. It stems from grapes, and grapes are fruit, so with that logic, wine has to be healthy. Right?

Yes. There is now scientific evidence suggesting that, when consumed in moderation, (defined as up to one four-ounce glass per day for women and up to two four-ounce glasses per day for men, according to the American Heart Association) red wine could have significant health benefits besides just helping you de-stress after a long day at work.

1. It May Help Lower Your Cholesterol

According to this 2012 study, a glass a day can help reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, aka the “bad” cholesterol that blocks your arteries and makes you more prone to heart disease. Red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol, which has been known to play a role in decreasing LDL cholesterol.

wine photo

2. It Could Reduce the Risk Of The Common Cold

Research has been found stating that wine contains an abundant amount of flavonoid antioxidants, which may be why participants in this study who drank more than 14 glasses of wine per week were 40 percent less likely to catch a cold.

sick photo

3. It May Improve Dental Health

According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, when bacteria gets into the mouth, it forms biofilms, which in turn produces plaque and teeth-damaging acid. In a study, biofilms were dipped into a variety of liquids. The most effective for getting rid of bacteria? Red wine.

teeth photo

4. It Could Boost Your Memory

A study was conducted on memory improvement and resveratrol, (an antioxidant found in red wine) in which half of the participants took a resveratrol supplement while the other half took a placebo daily for six months. When brought in for tests, those who had taken the resveratrol supplement were able to remember more words on a list that they had seen 30 minutes prior compared to those who had taken the placebo.

brain photo
Photo by PinkPersimon

5. It Could Help Fight Cancer

Drinking one glass of red wine three or four days of the week can help kill cancer cells, according to a study conducted at the University of Virginia. The antioxidant resveratrol can actually help to starve cancer cells by blocking a protein (NF-kB) from feeding them. Again, resveratrol is found in red wine, and it is especially prevalent in red grapes.

grapes on vine photo
Photo by Roberto Verzo

6. It Could Help Prevent A Stroke

Drinking red wine in moderation could actually reduce your risk of suffering a blood clot-related stroke by about 50 percent, according to a Columbia University study.

red wine photo
Photo by Sarah Korf

7. It May Help Weight-Loss

According to Health.com, studies have found that those who drink a glass of red wine daily have a lower body mass than those who do not. Additionally, those who consider themselves moderate wine drinkers tend to have waists that are more narrow and less abdominal fat than those who choose liquor as their alcohol of choice.

skinny photo
Photo by TipsTimesAdmin

8. It May Help Your Sleep Schedule

A glass of red wine can help you sleep better, according to a study at the University of Milan. Out of all alcoholic beverages, red wine contains the highest amount of melatonin, which has been proven to regulate sleep and circadian rhythms. When it is in our bodies, melatonin levels peak at evening time, so an extra glass of wine at night could provide a restful night of sleep.

sleep photo
Photo by Beatnik Photos

Photo by (matt)

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About the Author
Taylor Hosey
Miami University graduate. I believe that simplicity, originality and a little bit of wit can go a long way.

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