My wine proclivity began in May 2021. At that time, I was going through some challenging phase in my life. Before now, I had never drunk alcohol, but I found red wine soothing for my weary soul. With all the mental break down and rollercoasters of emotions, red wine was my go-to remedy for escaping reality and getting a night of deep sleep.
I became somewhat addicted to wine drinking to the extent my close pals now understand I drink to sleep when I’m moody or too emotional.
As my thirst for wine grew, I had to read up on the benefits of drinking wine and watched documentaries and films on the production of wine as well as its history.
Numerous people believe that having a glass of wine every day is a good habit, while others argue, especially on social media, that wine is overhyped.
Several studies have found that moderate red wine drinking appears to reduce the risk of several ailments, including heart disease. There is, however, a delicate line between moderate and excessive consumption.
In this post, I will share some science-backed benefits of Red wine. Read along!
How is Red Wine Produced?
Interestingly, Wines are products of fermented grapes. Red wines are processed by crushing and fermenting dark-colored, whole grapes.
However, there are numerous sorts of red wine, each with its distinct flavor and color. Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are well-known varieties.
The moderate use of red wine has been found to offer great health advantages. This is primarily owing to its high antioxidant content.
Wine’s alcohol content is also thought to contribute to some of the benefits [1] of moderate wine drinking.
The alcohol percentage is commonly between 10.5 and 15%.
Red Wine and the ‘French Paradox’
In the early 1980s, the term “French Paradox” was used to characterize the seemingly low incidence of heart disease observed in French citizens, despite a typical diet rich in rich, fatty foods. [2]
Initially, the notion was assumed to be explained by French people’s consumption of red wine, which includes resveratrol, a molecule thought to have anti-hypertensive effects and possibly protective characteristics due to the ways it relaxes blood vessels.
According to some scientists, red wine was the dietary agent that protected the French population from the negative effects of these minerals.
Conversely, current research [3] has revealed that when ingested in normal amounts, dietary cholesterol, and saturated fat do not cause heart disease.
The underlying cause for the French’s exceptional health is probably that they eat more complete foods and have overall healthier lifestyles.
How Much Glass of Wine Is considered Safe for Consumption?
If you are a lover of wine, there is no cause for alarm when consuming the recommended amount of wine. Moderate red wine drinking is seen to be of great advantage to the health in Europe and America
It is suggested [4] that women should drink 1 to 1.5 glasses of water every day. While for men, 1-2 glasses each day.
Although, some publications fiercely advocate for 1-2 alcohol-free days each week.
It is important to note that drinking this much red wine, in addition to other alcoholic beverages, might easily send you over the limit.
Health Benefits of Red Wine
Citing some studies from Healthline, red wine has been linked with numerous health benefits, many of which are attributed to its potent antioxidants.
Red wine consumption is linked to:
- Lowers the risk of depression: A recent study of middle-aged and elderly people showed that those who drank 2–7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to become depressed. [5]
- Lowers the risk of cancer: Some research has shown that decent wine consumption is associated with a decreased risk of several cancers, including colon, basal cell, ovary, and prostate cancers
- Curb insulin resistance: Drinking 2 glasses per day of regular or dealcoholized red wine for 4 weeks may reduce insulin resistance.
- Lowers the risk of dementia: It is important to note that drinking 1–3 glasses of wine per day has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes in women: Moderate red wine consumption has been linked with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women.
It appears that moderate amounts of red wine can be beneficial. However, there are some significant disadvantages to consider when consuming too much alcohol.
Some stated disadvantages of too much alcohol
Even though a moderate consumption of red wine may offer numerous health benefits, excessive alcohol consumption can have disastrous health consequences.
Some of these disastrous health consequences include:
- Weight gain: Do you know that red wine contains twice the amount of calories as beer and sugary soft drinks? Too much consumption may however contribute to high-calorie intake and cause you to gain some weight.
- Liver cirrhosis: When over 30 grams of alcohol (that is about 2–3 glasses of wine) are consumed each day, the risk of developing liver disease increases. End-stage liver disease, called cirrhosis, is life-threatening and disastrous to the health.
- Might Increase the risk of depression: It is believed that heavy drinkers are at a much higher risk of depression than moderate or non-drinkers. [8]
- Alcohol Addict Too much and frequent alcohol consumption can spiral out of control and lead to alcoholism. [7]
- Increased risk of death and disease: Men who consume a large amount of wine, even if only 1-3 days a week, may be at a higher risk of developing diabetes. High alcohol consumption has also been related to an increased chance of dying prematurely. [6]
Red wine and Antioxidant
It is not news that grapes are rich in many powerful antioxidants. These include resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins
However, these antioxidants, preferably resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, are well known to be responsible for the numerous health benefits of red wine.
Proanthocyanidins are known to reduce oxidative damage in the body. They may also help prevent heart disease and cancer ( [10] [9]).
Although, resveratrol is found in grape skin. It is seen in some plants, as a response to damage or injury [11] This antioxidant has been associated with a variety of beneficial properties, such as the reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as reduced inflammation and blood clotting. Resveratrol can also cause test animals to live longer lives.
