You’re reading a good novel on a fine evening with a glass of fine wine. Apart from a good evening and a good novel, how well do you think your wine is, except in case of the dizziness aroused from it? You must be a fan of its taste as red wine is more popular than white. However, some of the health benefits of red wine also push for more popularity. We will share some of those health benefits with you in this article, so read on!
How Red Wine is Made?
Red Wine has a lot of health benefits when consumed in limited quantities, as it is probably just another alcohol. As we know, wine is the fermented juice of grape varieties.
- A wine grape is unlike any other grape you’ll find in the supermarket: it’s petite, sweet, has thick skin, and has a lot of seeds.
- White and black grapes are the two types of grapes used to make white and red wine, respectively.
- Hundreds of grapes are utilized to create thousands of wine varietals and mixes from those types of grapes.
- The wine location, tannins, sweetness, acidity, body, and flavors impact a wine’s character.
- Our dearly red wine is prepared from black grapes that have been fermented with the skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes (which gives the wine its color).
- Tannins are abundant in red wine, giving it a bitter and dry aftertaste.
So, you know, our red French alcohol has a lot of benefits if consumed in elegant proportions. The health benefits of red wine have been contested for a long time. Many people believe that for a healthy diet every day, a glass of wine is necessary. But a few others argue that wine is overrated. For frequent drinkers, there are a lot of red wine effects on health seen by dieticians in different parts of the world due to patterns of food habits and different climatic conditions. (See What are the Names of Coldest Places on Earth?)
Types and Usage of Red Wine
The following are the types and usage trends of red wines discussed in brief:
- Types: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chianti, and Beaujolais are some of the finest wines amongst many more.
- Food combinations: Red wine goes well with robust red meat dishes like BBQ ribs, burgers, pasta and pizza. Red wine has more than six sister wines consumed in different parts of the world, but after fetching its nitty-gritty, let’s start with the health benefits of red wine. (See Where Did Pasta Originate?)
- Steak and wine has been one of the most consumed food combinations preferred by most French and even other nationals inspired by the same.
Pro-tip: Red wines should be served at or slightly below room temperature. Due to the tannins in red wine, it becomes harsh when chilled.
Bonus: The more tannins in a wine, the darker or newer it is. Choose an older wine, as it will be less dry and bitter.
1. Prevents and Treats Cancer
According to an article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the resveratrol in red wine has also been demonstrated to aid in preventing and treating some ailments. Some of the health benefits of red wine are:
- It can prevent cancer from growing, as the cancer cells are refrained from mutating and becoming resistant to treatment.
- Resveratrol, found in red wine, helps protect against carcinogen damage.
- It can reduce the growth of existing tumors and slow the spreading of cancer cells throughout the body. (See How Many Cells Are in the Human Body?)
2. Ensures Longer and Healthier Life
Once, we all would’ve heard that something in red wine can help you live longer. In recent years, a lot of research has been conducted on this subject, and the results have been pleasant, as discussed below.
- Darker grapes contain abundant antioxidants such as resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. Resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are the ones that keep you healthy. (Also read Top 20 Foods that contain Antioxidants)
- According to a review of the literature published in Heart Failure Reviews, it has proved that resveratrol can initiate the expression of key genes connected to lifespan. However, resveratrol did not appear to extend the lifespan of mice in trials.
- It can also help mitigate some effects of the normal aging process, especially when it comes to the heart.
- Although red wine drinking is linked to a longer lifetime in some regions of France, additional research is needed to discover how human longevity is altered.
3. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Red wine’s effect on heart health is one of its most well-known health advantages. According to a study published in the journal Nature, red wine consumption is connected to a lower risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack death. It has also shown that red wine produced using traditional methods that optimize the quantity of resveratrol and flavanoids in the wine is even better at enhancing heart health than other varietals. (Also read 90 Mind Blowing Human Body Facts)
4. Reduces Inflammation Problems
The capacity of red wine to lower inflammation in the body contributes to its heart health benefits, but inflammation reduction has other ramifications. According to a study published in the American Journal of Biomedical Sciences, drinking red wine also helps patients avoid the inflammatory response linked with many dangerous infections. It may help mitigate the long-term effects of a heightened immunological response in the body.
5. Helps Avoid Tooth Decay
The next on the list of health benefits of red wine you should know is that it may also aid in the prevention of dental decay. According to a study published in the journal Current Opinion in Biotechnology, red wine reduces cavities in people who consume it. (Also read How to Get Rid of Bad Breath? 25 Home Remedies to Keep it Away)
6. Prevents Diabetes
There is still much to learn about the impact of red wine intake on people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes. A review of the research published in the Journal of Medical Biochemistry revealed that the alcohol in red wine might potentially help prevent diabetes.
7. Reduces Development of Alzheimer’s Disease
Red wine may also help reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research is needed in this area. According to a study published in the journal Life Sciences, consumption of red wine made from black-skinned grapes decreases oxidative damage and may have neurological repercussions. The researchers believe that future research will show that red wine compounds can help delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and avoid brain damage. (Read What Alcohol does to your Brain?)
8. Maintains Slender Figure
You’ll be relieved to learn that resveratrol can also aid weight loss. Our body’s fat cells are reduced by the chemical molecule piceatannol, made from resveratrol. According to the study, piceatannol hinders the pathways essential for immature fat cells to proliferate.
9. Treats Digestive System
Red wines’ antibacterial properties have allowed them to be used to treat stomach discomfort and other digestive problems. Drinking red wine also lowers the risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori, a stomach bacterium. (Also read How Acidic Is Stomach Acid?)
10. Regulates Blood Sugar
One of the health benefits of red wine is to control and sustain the adequate amount of blood sugar level in the body for better health. In people with diabetes, resveratrol found in grape skin helps regulate blood sugar levels. Subjects who took 250 mg of resveratrol pills once a day for three months had lower blood glucose levels than those who did not. Resveratrol also regulates systolic blood pressure. (See What Is Sugar Apple Fruit?)
11. Reduces Harmful Cholesterol Level
Red wines have a reputation for lowering harmful cholesterol levels in the body. According to a study, the high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes used to make Rioja and other red wines help lower harmful cholesterol levels. (Also read 8 Fruits That Have No Seeds)
12. Evades Depression
According to a study conducted on middle-aged to elderly persons, drinking a moderate quantity of alcohol every day keeps depression at bay. Similarly, red wine drinkers are less prone to suffering from depression than those who do not. It is indeed one of the relieving health benefits of red wine. (Also read Woes of the Bored and Lonely Mind)
13. Aids in Treatment of Cold
Antioxidants in red wine reduce the occurrence of common colds. It is achieved by protecting cells from the detrimental effects of free radicals that play a significant part in developing colds. (Also read How to treat a Bad Cough?)
14. Regulates Blood Pressure
Regulating blood pressure is one of the health benefits of red wine, with some substantial proof. According to a 2006 study, red wine chemicals known as procyanidins have been found to help maintain blood arteries healthy. Many individuals find that a glass of alcoholic wine calms them, but research released in 2012 suggests that non-alcoholic red wine helps lower blood pressure. It might be a better choice in terms of health. (See What Does It Mean When Your Blood Is Dark Red?)
15. Improves Gut Health
Some of the health benefits of red wine concerning gut health are:
- According to a 2018 study, one of the health benefits of red wine is gut health. Polyphenols found in red wine and grapes can help enhance gut bacteria, resulting in a healthier gut.
- According to a 2012 study, red wine molecules may also work as prebiotics or compounds that promote the growth of good bacteria in the stomach.
- Researchers indicated in 2016 that red wine’s impact on gut bacteria could lessen the risk of heart disease.
However, the research is limited, and doctors will need more proof before fully comprehending red wine’s effects on gut health. (See Is Sleeping Late Bad for Health?)
16. Strengthens Vision
According to 2016 research, resveratrol may help prevent eyesight loss by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. These factors play a role in a variety of age-related eye conditions that result in vision loss. Some of those eye conditions are Cataracts, Macular degeneration, Glaucoma, and Diabetic retinopathy. (See Personality & characteristics of people with brown eyes)
17. Helps Cure Liver Disease
We all know that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is a common cause of liver damage. However, there are some health benefits of red wine regarding liver you should know.
- Moderate red wine consumption has been linked to improved liver health in several studies.
- According to a 2018 study, in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, moderate alcohol use, particularly wine, is linked to less liver fibrosis.
- The effect of red wine on liver health, however, is complicated.
- While drinking delivers antioxidants and decreases oxidative stress, it can also raise uric acid and triglycerides, causing liver damage. (See What are the Monomers of the Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins and Nucleic Acids?)
More research is needed to understand the complicated consequences of moderate red wine consumption on liver health. On the other hand, people with liver problems should abstain from drinking entirely.
18. Prevents Viral Infections
It’s critical to keep our immune systems healthy against viruses, and red wine may offer even another promising benefit in this regard.
- Because of its antioxidant concentration, it has immune-boosting qualities. In moderation, red wine can aid in developing immunity to 200 viruses.
- Red wine may also help to improve your microbiome or the microorganisms that live in your gut.
- It can help you avoid getting a cold, but it may also protect you from other viruses. Red wine is high in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can help fight infections. (See What Everybody Ought to Know About Medicinal Uses of General Spices)
19. Prevents Obesity Risks
Many researchers found that consumption of red wine can be beneficial in reducing obesity risks in adults. It is one of the health benefits of red wine known well among wine drinkers. According to studies, the antioxidant resveratrol found in red wine helps convert bad fat into calorie-burning brown fat. Resveratrol promotes dietary fat oxidation and protects the body from becoming overburdened. It transforms white fat into brown fat (also known as beige fat), which is then burned as heat, preventing obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
Additionally, meals and drinks rich in antioxidants can also aid in the fight against obesity. (See What are the health benefits of drinking Green Tea?)
20. Promotes Good Sleep
Red wine is derived from grapes that are high in melatonin, a substance that causes humans to sleep. The pineal gland manufactures this hormone in our brain. The melatonin content of practically all red wine grapes is higher than that of human blood. According to scientists, the melatonin content of red wine may be sufficient to aid sleep by regulating your circadian clock.
According to another study, people who drank red wine had higher sleep quality than those who drank plain water. (Also read How to Have a Good Night Sleep?)
21. Strengthen Bones
According to a study published in the Oxford Academic Journal, the antioxidant resveratrol found in red wine has been shown to enhance spinal bone density in males with metabolic syndrome.
- Resveratrol appears to have a favorable effect on bone growth or mineralization.
- Anti-inflammatory characteristics of the chemical can potentially help to prevent bone loss.
- It activates the body’s bone-forming cells. (Also read What Is the Funny Bone Nerve?)
- To protect older women from deteriorating bones, one or two glasses of wine can be as effective as medications.
It has been discovered that moderate alcohol consumption after menopause helps maintain bone strength in later years. More intriguingly, osteoporosis in older women is caused by an imbalance between the dissolving of an old bone and the formation of a new bone. When alcohol or red wine is consumed in moderation, it corrects this imbalance.
22. Improves Lungs Functioning
According to specialists at Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute, smoking is the leading cause of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is incurable. According to a study, resveratrol in red wine can help to reduce the inflammation associated with COPD.
- According to a Greek study, two glasses of red wine mitigated the artery damage caused by one cigarette. (Also read 14 Disastrous Health Effects of Smoking)
- According to an Ohio study, resveratrol can help treat pulmonary hypertension.
Even though additional research is needed to expand the study, the health benefits of red wine appear to be promising.
23. Aids in the Treatment of Parkinson’s
According to a 2008 study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, resveratrol can protect cells and nerves and minimize brain damage in people with Parkinson’s disease. Rats were used in the experiment, and the results were promising. Resveratrol has also been discovered to prevent brain cells from harm caused by DBS (deep brain stimulation) therapy tubes placed into the brain. (See Video summary: You can grow new brain cells. Here’s how by Sandrine Thuret)
According to another American study, red wine’s resveratrol and quercetin may help people with Parkinson’s disease. More research is needed, however. Red wine catechins can also protect the brain from neurotoxins linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
24. Combats Acne
According to a recent study, the antioxidant resveratrol found in red wine can prevent the growth of germs that cause acne. It also stops keratinocytes from proliferating, which leads to acne lesions. The combination of resveratrol and benzoyl peroxide may have long-lasting antibacterial effects on acne germs. Acne-driven people who combined a glass of red wine with topical therapy with benzoyl peroxide had the best outcomes. (Read 34 Medicinal Plants Worth Your Garden Space)
25. Maintains Hair Thickness
One of the assumed health benefits of red wine is that it can maintain hair growth and thickness. However, we regret to inform you that there is no scientific proof to support the claims that red wine is beneficial to hair. As a result, exercise caution and seek professional advice.
- It is said that drinking red wine improves circulation, allowing enough blood flow to the scalp. This can help you to stop losing your hair. (Also read 17 Ways to Make your Hair Grow Faster)
- Red wine could be used to rinse your hair after shampooing, conditioning, and washing it.
- Red wine contains resveratrol, which is thought to reduce inflammation and the production of dead cells on the scalp, boosting hair growth and thickness.
26. Relieves Sunburn
Sunburn can happen in as little as 20 minutes, but it can take up to 6 hours to show up. In the end, you might get sunburns without recognizing it. And believe it or not, this is the leading cause of skin cancer. Sunburn can be relieved by applying red wine to the afflicted regions. Flavonoids present in red wine protect the skin from the formation of reactive oxygen species. These are chemicals that react with UV radiation to cause sunburn. (See Famous People With Vitiligo)
We never say not to use sunscreen. You can use sunscreen and have a glass of red wine occasionally.
27. Increases Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to our body when talking about the heart and are also one of the most essential health benefits of red wine. According to a Catholic University study, moderate red wine consumption can improve omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cells. Red wine appears to perform better than other alcoholic beverages. Wine polyphenols may be responsible for this effect. (Also read 22 Lesser Known Uses of Vodka)
We do not promote alcoholism at any point, and this article was a mere piece of information about the health benefits of red wine. We hope this article added some knowledge to your kitty. Mention your different experiences with wine in the comment section below. (Also read Busted! 27 Myths About Fitness Exercises and Workouts)