The 4 Biggest Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

Red wine has been touted as one of the healthiest beverages you can consume Who would have guessed? With a reputation for being good for your heart, it also contains antioxidants and has recently been found to help with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It's no surprise that many people drink red wine to maintain their health and wellness. Red wine is often thought of as something enjoyable, but it does have some other benefits in addition to being delicious. Let’s take a look at the 4 main benefits of this popular beverage.

Benefit #1: Red Wine's Heart-Healthy Benefits

Wine in general is a popular social drink, great when paired with food(s) or to toast a celebratory dinner with family. However one of the most popular reasons people drink red wine is that it's heart-healthy. Red wine contains flavonoids and resveratrol, both of which are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. It has been shown in many studies to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries. Additionally, red wine has been found to improve blood circulation, which can also help with heart health [R].

Benefit #2: Red Wine Contains Antioxidants

Red wine contains antioxidants that help to increase metabolism, improve brain function, and promote cardiovascular health.

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that red wine contains more antioxidants than other types of alcohol [R]. Antioxidants are essential for the body to fight off free radicals, which can cause oxidative damage in cells and lead to a variety of illnesses like cancer or diabetes.

Research has shown that red wine may have anti-cancer properties because it contains compounds like resveratrol, which can help prevent tumor growth. Antioxidants are also important for heart health as they improve blood circulation and allow you to maintain healthy cholesterol levels while preventing the oxidation of “good” cholesterol.

Benefit #3: Red Wine Is Good For Your Brain

Recent studies have shown that drinking red wine is connected to a decreased chance of developing dementia, or an easier time coping with it. In a study published in The Journals of Gerontology, researchers found that moderate drinkers had a slower decline in memory and thinking than those who don't drink alcohol at all [R]. Another study, done by the University of South Florida, found that moderate drinkers had better cognitive test scores than abstainers.

These are just two of the many studies which indicate that red wine has positive effects on our brain. This may be due to the resveratrol (antioxidant) content of this beverage. Resveratrol has been discovered to help with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia because it helps prevent harmful molecules from damaging your brain cells.

Benefit #4: The Positive Effects of the Resveratrol in Red Wine

This compound is found in the skin of grapes, and it’s responsible for the color of a wine. In addition to being a part of the reason that red wine is so good for your heart, resveratrol has also been found to be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer's disease and dementia [R]. We’ve already learned that red wine contains many healthy elements, but this is arguably one of the most important. Resveratrol is contained in many foods, including chocolate, but it’s most concentrated in red wine.

Is It OK To Drink Red Wine Every Day?

Just because it's good for you doesn't mean you should drink red wine every day. In moderation, red wine can be a healthy addition to your diet. However, if you drink more than one glass of red wine a day, it could increase your risk of heart disease. Even though the benefits outweigh the risks in some cases, drinking alcohol every day is never a good idea. Alcohol can have damaging effects on your body when consumed regularly over many years, so moderation is key. Just like with anything else, there are some health risks associated with drinking red wine that must be considered when deciding how often or how much to drink.

Is Red Wine Good For Your Skin?

You may have heard that red wine is bad for your skin, or that it’s not ok to drink red wine every day. But these are simply myths. Red wine is, in fact, good for your skin and can be consumed daily, as long as you drink in moderation.

Red wine is high in a compound called resveratrol, which has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These two factors are often the cause of aging skin. In one study, researchers found that resveratrol supplements reduced the appearance of wrinkles in aged mice.

The benefits don't stop there; red wine's antioxidants also help fight free radicals, which can damage skin cells and lead to premature aging. This means that you could be able to age more gracefully by enjoying red wine from time to time. It's no wonder that so many people drink red wine for its health benefits.

Wrapping Things Up

Red wine is not a miracle in a bottle however it’s been proven to be heart-healthy, to have antioxidant properties, and to have many other benefits. For these reasons, it’s no surprise that the consumption of red wine has increased over the years. Research shows that the optimal daily amount is 1 glass (150 ml) for women and 2 glasses (300 ml) for men. Moderation is key to drinking red wine for health reasons however in moderate dosages red wine can be a huge help to your overall health!