Red wine, in moderation, is considered heart-healthy. Alcohol and antioxidants in red wine may help reduce coronary artery diseases. The antioxidants in red wine may help raise HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol accumulation.
Of course, you shouldn’t start consuming alcohol for heart reasons if you have a family history of alcoholism. Too much alcohol can harm the body. But, a glass of red wine with dinner and also with moderation may help improve your heart health.
Red Wine’s Property
The notion that red wine is beneficial to health originated when studies noticed that French people had healthy hearts despite consuming a high-fat diet. They dubbed this the “French paradox” and hypothesized that their red wine drinking caused it.
Similarly, the Mediterranean diet — which includes moderate red wine — is beneficial to the heart. Indeed, multiple groups, including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, advocate it.
As they dug deeper, they discovered that red wine is rich in chemicals called polyphenols. These chemicals, including resveratrol and quercetins, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial in various ways, including preventing heart disease.
Interestingly, red wine that has been de-alcoholized yet retains polyphenols have been proven to have the same advantages.
How much red wine should you consume to reap those benefits?
That is an excellent question, yet sadly, there is no straightforward answer. Complicating matters is the concept of a “drink.” Individuals may have varying perceptions of the number of ounces or amount of alcohol in a drink, and this perception varies by geographic location. Even within a clinical study, there is considerable heterogeneity in the definition of “light” or “moderate” wine consumption.
The standard drink size for red wine in the United States is 5 ounces. Based on what is now known about the health advantages of red wine intake, most experts agree that moderation is the goal. In addition, it equates to two drinks per day or less for males and one drink per day or less for women, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (because there is a difference in how men and women metabolize alcohol).
Bear in mind that these are merely suggestions for individuals who wish to consume wine. Because the health benefits have not been conclusively shown, if you are not currently drinking, there is likely no health benefit to the beginning.
Health Benefits of Red Wine
Red wines are produced by crushing and fermenting entire, dark-colored grapes. Here are a few of the known health benefits of red wine.
Rich In Antioxidants
Before ingesting red wines, it is necessary to understand nearly everything about wine. What are the possible bad and good impacts on your health due to its high antioxidant content? Antioxidants such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins are found in darker grapes. Among these, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins play a significant role in maintaining your health.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Red wines are well-known for their ability to lower harmful cholesterol levels in the body; the high-fiber red grapes used to manufacture specific red wines also help reduce harmful cholesterol levels.
Keeps Heart Healthy
Not only does it maintain good cholesterol levels, but it also maintains a healthy heart. Polyphenols, a type of antioxidant found in red wines from The Barrel & Bar Gift Factory, help avoid undesired clotting by retaining the flexibility of the blood vessels. However, it should be borne in mind that excessive drinking is detrimental to the heart.
Regulates Blood Sugar
Resveratrol, a naturally occurring chemical found in grape skin, helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. The study discovered that patients who took 250 mg of resveratrol once a day for three months had significantly lower blood glucose levels than those who did not. Additionally, resveratrol regulates cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure.
Keeps you Slim
You’ll be relieved to learn that resveratrol also aids in weight control. Piceatannol, a chemical substance derived from resveratrol, inhibits the growth of immature fat cells by fastening their insulin receptors.
Good Effects in the Digestive System
Wine aids in the digestion of a variety of substances, not just food. During the digestion process and as metabolism increases, there is an increased potential for the body to produce disease-causing substances, such as oxygen free radicals,” according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“As the body digests food, the nutrients in wine—those polyphenols—help limit or even eliminate the harm caused by oxidation. It counteracts the unfavorable effects of digestion by triggering the release of nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes the stomach wall, aiding in digestion optimization.”
Numerous research supports the notion that drinking wine with food promotes digestion. A study conducted by the Hebrew University discovered that mixing turkey chops with red wine reduced malondialdehyde levels in human blood plasma, a free radical associated with oxidative stress.
Red wine drinkers exhibited lower levels of inflammation in their blood vessels than individuals who drank other beverages while eating a high-fat dinner of French fries and pig sausages.
Warnings
While wine consumption may have certain health benefits, excessive alcohol use might increase health concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) give information on the health concerns associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
They indicate that between 2006 and 2010, excessive alcohol usage resulted in approximately 88,000 fatalities in the United States, reducing the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. Additionally, they state that one in every ten deaths among persons aged 20–64 was caused by excessive drinking.
The dangers associated with excessive alcohol use include the following:
- cardiovascular difficulties
- The disease of the fatty liver
- stroke
- certain cancers are harmed by liver damage
- mental health problems
- pancreatitis
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is particularly damaging to one’s health
- additionally, individuals may suffer from alcohol poisoning or alcohol consumption disorder
Final Thoughts
Consumption of red wine in moderation may provide several health benefits, including improved heart and more. This is because it includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-enhancing properties. But remember that alcohol consumption is not safe for everyone, and exceeding a modest amount might result in significant health problems.
