8 Great Health Benefits of Red Wine (Moderate Consumption) - Is Red Wine Really Good For Your Health?

Fun fact: Women get drunk faster from wine because of their water to fat ratio

Introduction

It is not always that we find a nutrition facts label in red wine bottles. In fact, it has been the center of debate whether or not wine bottles should indicate the nutrition facts on the label. Those who said yes claims that every consumer has the right to know what they are drinking and how it will affect them. Others opposed saying that to put nutrition facts on the label would treat wine, an alcoholic beverage, to be a part of the daily diet. Nevertheless, red wine continues to be one of the healthier alcoholic beverages as compared to others.

Each glass of wine or for every 5 fluid ounce of wine contains 125 calories. The calorie breakdown for every glass of wine entails 12% carbs and 88% protein, but 0% fat.

Red wine is a good source of antioxidant, which help protect your cells from being damaged. Since the process of preventing or delaying cell damage may destroy antioxidants, it is necessary to restore the same. That’s where fruits and red wine are good at.

The most essential antioxidants of red wine are flavonoids and resveratrol. Flavonoids reduce free radical damage to cells and help activate protein. The resveratrol, on the other hand, prevents blood clot and damages in the blood vessel.

The source of calories in red wine is alcohol. The amount of alcohol in red wine is twice the amount of sugar.

Red wine also contains 40 % of recommended daily intake (RDI) fluoride that assists in preventing tooth decay and promotes bone development. It also has 10% RDI manganese, another type of antioxidant that specifically works for the liver, brain and nervous system. The potassium, at 5% RDI, present in red wine helps keep the body function normally allowing the muscles and nerves communicate.

Just like the fluoride, the red wine’s phosphorus (3% RDI) likewise helps strengthen the bones. It also regulates hormones and aids in digestion. The 2% RDI of choline in red wine, meanwhile, improves memory and liver function.

Red wine also contains 4% RDI of iron, 3% of vitamin B2, and 4% of vitamin B6. Iron helps the body store and use oxygen. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is an antioxidant that develops the skin and the blood cells among others. Vitamin B6 maintains the nervous system, helps fight diseases and makes hemoglobin.

From all the nutrition facts stated above about red wine, the key still is moderation. Experts recommend daily limit of one or two glasses of red wine.

Fillet mignon in red wine sauce

The Health Benefits of Red Wine

Majority of us must have already heard that red wine is good for the heart. Alcohol contains antioxidants that eliminate unwanted and unhealthy fats in the body. The antioxidant content of red wine is a huge contribution in preventing obesity, high blood pressure, and related heart ailments. Antioxidants will not only eliminate the unwanted fats but also regulates the levels of good cholesterols called high-density lipoprotein. If you are now thinking that it is okay to indulge yourself with too much alcohol, then you understood the whole thing wrong. Drinking alcohol, if not regulated, also has harmful effects in the human body. Make sure that you discipline your drinking habits and know the difference between enough and excessive.

The history of red wine has always been associated with medication. In the early ages wine was popularly used as a cure to many illnesses like diarrhea and ailments. Wine was also used as antiseptic for open wounds as well as an aid for digestion. As a matter of fact it is also considered as a healthy substitute for drinking water. Up until now, many health experts believe that red wine has important health benefits. Enumerated below are the essential beneficial effects of drinking red wine.

Healthy for the Heart

If you enjoy having a glass of red wine during meals, you can expect that you are helping the condition of your heart. Research and studies were conducted and red wine contains antioxidants called flavonoids and resveratrol that are known to have amazing effects on the human heart. These antioxidants regulate proper blood circulation therefore reducing abnormal blood pressure and artery blockage. The antioxidants also eliminate bad cholesterol that can cause blood clots and damage in the blood vessels.

Regulates Weight

As mentioned above, red wine has high level of antioxidants that are very beneficial to the human health. The antioxidant that red wine contains, specifically resveratrol, has the ability to reduce LDL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol that is not good for the body. This LDL cholesterol is the primary cause of diabetes and weight gain that can lead to obesity. Having wine occasionally can build up protective and self-defense mechanism in your system that fights off unwanted fats and cholesterol.

Prevents High Blood Pressure

Since red wine is capable of regulating proper blood flow in the body, it is proven to help in preventing having high blood pressure.

Reduces risks of cancer

Red wine also has anti-inflammatory property called flavanoids. inflammation is a common source of various types of diseases just like cancer. Flavonoids are capable of stimulating nitrogen and reactive oxygen that boosts anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The body will be able to set its own defense against possibilities of various types of cancer.

Less Chances of Having Infection

Studies and research proved that flavonoids and resveratrol affect the antibacterial mechanism of the body. It has the ability to eliminate virus that the various systems of the human body inhibit. This will therefore reduce chances of infections and related disorders and ailments. These antioxidants protect the body’s systems from fungi and unwanted substances.

Tooth Decay Prevention

There are various types of bacteria that live in your teeth. The bacterium that causes tooth decay is the Streptococcus mutans. This type of bacteria is prevented because red wine hardens your enamel. Red wine also has polyphenols that fight off gum diseases.

Treats Depression

Aside from the physiological health benefits of moderate drinking of red wine, it is also known to reduce chances of depression. Even though there are still no clear and substantive evidence that drinking red wine can reduce risks of depression, certain universities conducted research about this topic and concluded that those who have about seven glasses of red wine a week are most likely unexposed to having depression.

Defies Ageing

The anti ageing properties of red wine are talked about for years now. Red wine has procyanidins that keeps the blood vessels healthy. As compared to other wines, red wine has the highest level of procyanidins content which keeps your system well functioning and your skin young looking.

In this modern generation, various studies and research are conducted in light to the limitless benefits of red wine to the human body. These benefits are not only limited to those discussed above. The properties of red wine are believed to have so many beneficial effects to the overall health of the human body. Although not yet proven, red wine also decreases risks of lung disorders as well as keeps your mouth fresh and clean. It is only a matter of time that all the amazing effects of red wine in the human body will be officially recognized. Just make sure that red wine intake is regulated because too much alcohol in the human body can vastly destroy it.