Red wine has a long and storied history of being much more than just a drink to enjoy. Many studies have shown both definitive and potential benefits to drinking red wine, and here are some of the biggest.
Memory & Cognitive Function
Firstly, whether you are having a glass of Winton Road red wine or popped open a bottle that is 30 years old, red wine has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. This is because red wine is packed with a polyphenol called resveratrol.
Studies have shown that resveratrol can help reduce the damage caused by sleep deprivation, which can lead to loss of concentration, short-term memory, and overall focus. Simply put, a glass of red wine can help your brain sleep and recover properly.
Heart Health
Talking of polyphenols again, many studies have shown the huge benefits to your heart when consuming food and drinks that are high in polyphenols, such as red wine. Black tea, some nuts, and red onions are other examples of foods and drink with high polyphenol levels.
Red wine can help protect the blood vessels in the heart, as well as produce HDL, which is a good cholesterol that can help flush out the bad and damaging cholesterol in your body.
Potential Cancer Reduction
Many studies have also shown the potential of red wine being able to reduce the risk of cancer. Once again, resveratrol is the star of the show, as it has been shown to starve and eventually kill protein cells.
While much more research needs to be done to conclusively prove this, the studies that have been done have shown a lot of promise, so much so that it is a reason many people use to drink red wine regularly.
Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Another promising benefit of red wine is its potential to reduce blood sugar levels. Even though it does contain natural sugars, various studies have shown that it can reduce blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours.
While this doesn’t mean your normal blood sugar management medications, practices, etc, should be substituted for red wine, combining the two can potentially improve results.
Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s
Going back to the cognitive benefits of red wine, it has also been shown as a potential measure against the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s. This is because it can kill the toxic plaque that may kill brain cells, thus leading to substantial cognitive decline.
In the studies done, those who drank a moderate amount of red wine regularly had brains less prone to severe decline when compared to those who didn’t drink at all. While excessive drinking is clearly harmful, a small amount can potentially be beneficial in the long run.
Type 2 Diabetes
An area that shows promise but still requires a lot of further research is red wines ability to stop or slow down the onset of Type 2 diabetes. In conjunction with lowering blood sugar, the amount of red wine and when you drink could prove to be beneficial.
One study showed that drinking a moderate amount of red wine with a meal could lower your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes when compared to drinking it without a meal, not drinking it all, or drinking in excess.
Gut Health
Gut health is far more important than many people may realize, as it can influence many different aspects of your overall health and well-being. Luckily, red wine has been shown to potentially improve your gut health and biome.
The polyphenols present in red wine can potentially regulate the gut and the bacteria it contains, keeping it all in balance and performing at its best and healthiest.
Helps Fight Viruses
Red wine has been shown to help fight off viruses thanks to its antioxidant properties. Flavonoids, found in apples, berries, broccoli, and celery to name a few, help to boost your immune system when it has been weakened by viruses.
These flavonoids can help fight off viruses, and while they aren’t a cure, they can lessen the effects of some viruses.
Important to Remember
While these benefits can potentially help and improve a wide variety of conditions, there are still some important points to remember when it comes to drinking red wine.
Wine Allergies
Firstly, wine allergies are common, and you may not realize you have one. Yeasts, molds, and sulfites are all common in red wine, and these are the things that could cause adverse reactions. Therefore, pay attention to how your body reacts to it to prevent causing any serious issues.
Drinking in Excess
Like any other alcohol, drinking too much red wine can and will cause many long-term and potentially life-threatening conditions. Liver disease, general organ damage, and high blood pressure are only a few of the serious side effects of excessive drinking.
It is Not a Cure
Finally, it is important to remember that red wine is not a cure for anything; it is simply something that has potential to help in a variety of ways. No matter what your condition is, it is always better to consult with a professional and to seek proper medical treatment.
