Is Red Wine Really Good For You?
Wine lovers rejoice! Research keeps on coming up with new evidence supporting health benefits of drinking red wine. According to studies, red wine can lower cholesterol, lowers your risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. People who drink red wine regularly tend to live longer, look younger and are thinner than people who don't drink it. It's even good for the mind! People who drink red wine are less likely to suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life.
It shouldn't come to a surprise that doctors are wary of supporting the idea of anyone beginning a 'wine regimen' for obvious reasons. Too much alcohol is dangerous and has harmful effects on the body.
On the other hand, even doctors cannot deny the antioxidants found in red wine have health benefits, especially for the heart.
The Power is in the Antioxidants
So what is it that makes red wine so healthy anyway? Scientists believe that the high amounts of antioxidants found in wine - particularly flavonoids - is the reason why wine so good for you. Flavonoids have been proven to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and boost the good cholesterol (HDL).
What's even more exciting is that another powerful antioxidant found in wine, called resveratrol, can help destroy cancer cells. Another antioxidant found in certain red wines that prevent cancer is melatonin.
Polyphenol is another antioxidant that is found in red wine. It protects against many different health issues and is believed to slow the aging process.
These are all just a few of the most powerful antioxidants found in red wine. It's important to note that white wine does not have the same health benefits as red wine. For instance, resveratrol is found in the grape's skin. Red wine is fermented with the skin, unlike white wine, where the skin is removed. Much of the antioxidants are lost during fermentation of white wine. As a result, white wine has much less to offer in regards to health.
List of Health Benefits
- Reduces risks of coronary illnesses
All those antioxidants are so good for your heart. Of all the health benefits, heart health is at the top of the list when it comes to red wine.
- Reduced risk of colds and inflammation
A study in Spain shows that people who consume red wine have 44% fewer colds than those who don't drink red wine. Furthermore wine has anti-inflammatory properties which helps prevent many diseases and ailments.
- Lowers LDL cholesterol while raising HDL or good cholesterol
As stated earlier, flavanoids in red wine are responsible for keeping cholesterol in check. Saponins and resveratrol also have cholesterol lowering properties.
- Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers
Lung, breast and prostate cancers are just a few of the types of cancers that can be prevented by drinking red wine in moderation.
- Brain health
Red wine drinkers are at lower risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in old age.
- Cures insomnia
People who drink red wine sleep better at night and have less bouts of insomnia than those who do not drink red wine.
- Longevity
Wine drinkers live longer and age slower thanks mostly to the antioxidant, polyphenol.
Red Wines That Reap the Most Benefits
Cabernet Sauvignon leads the pack when it comes to health benefits. Other wines that are high in antioxidants are Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah. Merlots and Zifandels also contain antioxidants but of all the red wines, they offer the least amount of health benefits.
Some Final Thoughts...
Red wine is healthy IN MODERATION. Drinking more than the recommended amount (one glass for women and two glasses for men per day) can have an opposite effect on health. Too much alcohol in your bloodstream will make you more susceptible to infections and other serious health issues.
It is also highly recommended that people who do not drink should not begin drinking wine in order to reap these benefits. Non-drinkers can get close to the same benefits by drinking grape juice and non-alcoholic wines.
- Mounting Evidence Shows Red Wine Antioxidant Kills Cancer
Researchers have shown for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function.
