10 Shocking Health Benefits of Drinking Wine
Anyone who pays attention to the news has heard scientists, doctors, and nutritionists tell us that drinking a glass of wine a day is good for your health. This is great news for oenophiles, and, let’s be honest, something we’ve been telling ourselves all along!
Medical News Today says it best: “Wine, especially the red variety, has been studied extensively over many years with impressive findings suggesting [that both red and white wine] may promote a longer lifespan, protect against certain cancers, improve mental health, and provide benefits to the heart.”
Medical News Today features almost 260,000 articles spanning hundreds of medical topics and has been a leading source for health news since 2003. Learn more by visiting www.medicalnewstoday.com or @mnt on Twitter.
Wine.net has reached out to several health and nutrition experts, and they have confirmed that, in moderation, vino is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to live a healthier and happier life. In this article, we will enumerate and elaborate upon 10 Shocking Health Benefits of Drinking Wine.
So, while you should always remember to eat well and get out there and exercise, you should also be sure to pour yourself a delicious glass of wine!
BENEFIT #1: YOU’LL LIVE A LONGER, HEALTHIER, AND HAPPIER LIFE!
Health and nutrition Teresa Howes (@skinnytinis) shared the following wisdom with us: “While excessive amounts of wine (or any form of alcohol) are definitely not a part of an active or healthy lifestyle, studies have shown over and over that those who enjoy alcohol in moderation tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives than those who abuse or abstain. I 100% support the one glass a day, guilt-free glass of wine.” Learn more about Teresa and her health and fitness plans and philosophies at www.teresamariewellness.com. Wine and health expert Madeline Puckette (@WineFolly) of Wine Folly agrees: “Chemically speaking, alcohol stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and opioid peptides. These natural brain chemicals will produce pleasurable feelings like euphoria, reward, and well-being.”
Teresa Howe (@skinnytinis) is a nutrition expert, fitness enthusiast, and health advocate whose philosophy is, “it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being better.” You can learn more by visiting www.teresamariewellness.com.
Wine Folly and Madeline Puckette seeks to simplify wine by providing unique articles, infographics, and videos on all things wine. Learn more by visiting www.winefolly.com or
BENEFIT #2: BENEFICIAL ANTIOXIDANTS!
More great news for wine drinkers: vino is full of healthy antioxidants! Fitness and health expert Cassandra Anderton (@goodlifevan) directed us to MedlinePlus, which explained that “antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables.” Dr. Sarah Brewer (@DrSarahB) explains that antioxidants “reduce blood stickiness to help prevent unwanted blood clots.” Learn more by visiting her blog, www.drsarahbrewer.com/heart-friendly-diet.
Cassandra Anderton is a digital strategist, writer, fitness, health, and food and wine expert. She manages Good Life Vancouver, which is all about the good life in and around Vancouver and often far beyond! Visit @goodlifevan or www.goodlifevancouver.com to learn more.
MedlinePlus is a government-funded website dedicated to providing trusted health information on a variety of topics and features a comprehensive medical encyclopedia. You can learn more at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus or @medlineplus on Twitter.
Dr. Sarah Brewer is a respected doctor and a food, herb, and supplement expert. Visit www.drsarahbrewer.com or @DrSarahB on Twitter.
BENEFIT #3: REDUCES YOUR RISK OF DEPRESSION!
According to Medical News Today, (@mnt) drinking wine can help reduce the risk of depression. A team of researchers from several universities in Spain “gathered data on 2,683 men and 2,822 women aged from 55 to 80 years over a seven-year period. The participants had to complete a food frequency questionnaire every year, which included details on their alcohol consumption as well as their mental health. The authors found that men and women who drank two to seven glasses of wine per week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression. Even after taking into account lifestyle factors which could influence their findings, the significantly lower risk of developing depression still stood.”
BENEFIT #4: PROMOTES THE PRODUCTION OF “GOOD” CHOLESTEROL!
Amazingly enough, according to Dr. Brewer’s blog, alcohol “has a blood thinning effect and increases liver production of “good” HDL-cholesterol.” The American Heart Association confirms that “good” cholesterol “helps remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol from the arteries. Experts believe that HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body. Learn more by visiting @American_Heart on Twitter.
The American Heart Association is an organization dedicated to building healthier lives that are free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Learn more at www.heart.org and @American_Heart on Twitter.
BENEFIT #5: DECREASES THE LIKELINESS OF HEART PROBLEMS!
On a related note, we learned that drinking wine and the production of “good” cholesterol also leads to better heart health! Dr. Brewer explains: “Those who drink a daily glass of wine are 32% less likely to experience a heart attack than non-drinkers. Although drinking alcohol isn’t recommended as a ‘treatment’ for heart problems, enjoying one or two units per day is unlikely to have adverse effects on heart health…excess alcohol increases blood pressure [and] can cause heart rhythm abnormalities and weaken[ed] heart muscle.” The American Heart Association agrees that “a healthy level of HDL cholesterol may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.”
BENEFIT #6: YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE A HIGHER IQ!
Believe it or not, drinking wine in moderation may also have a positive effect on pregnant women and their children. Winemaker and luxury hotel operator Frederic Billet (@FredericBillet1) told us that pregnant women should “drink a glass of wine a day when pregnant [to have] a kid with higher IQ. Study wine benefits!”
Frederic Billet is a luxury hotel operator and winemaker of Beaujolais in Bourgogne, France and is also a hospitality and catering expert. Visit his LinkedIn page or @FredericBillet1 on Twitter to learn more.
BENEFIT #7: DECREASES THE RISK OF POTENTIAL FOODBORNE ILLNESSES!
Self-proclaimed “Academic Wino” Becca Yeamans Irwin tells us that “red wine, and in particular the red wine compound resveratrol [can act] as a sort of ‘insurance policy’ against the potential foodborne norovirus illness, as it seems to prevent the norovirus from proliferating and spreading throughout the system.” Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in the stomach or intestines. Learn more by visiting www.academicwino.com or @TheAcademicWino on Twitter.
Academic Wino and Becca Yeamans Irwin are focused on dissecting current research related to wine. Visit www.academicwino.com or @TheAcademicWino on Twitter.
BENEFIT #8: HELPS PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S!
More great news: wine aficionado and medical expert Jonathan McFarland (@Medicalenglishb) shared that drinking wine can protect against Alzheimer’s! You can learn more about Mr. McFarland at www.about.me/jonathan_mcfarland. Medical News Today (@mnt) agrees that moderate red wine intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia. A study conducted by a team from Loyola University Medical Center demonstrated that there is “a statistically significantly lower risk of dementia among regular, moderate red wine drinkers…resveratrol [helps] maintain a good blood supply to the brain.”
Jonathan McFarland is an English trainer in medicine and the medical humanities. He is also a food and wine expert. Learn more at about.me/jonathan_mcfarland or @Medicalenglishb on Twitter.
BENEFIT #9: HELPS PREVENT BREAST CANCER!
Another outstanding benefit of drinking wine is its role in decreasing the risk of breast cancer. Scientists at The Journal of Women’s Health explained “that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes reduce estrogen levels while raising testosterone in premenopausal women, which results in a lower risk of developing breast cancer. The authors emphasized that it is not just the red wine that has the beneficial compounds, but its raw material–red grape. They suggested that when women are choosing an alcoholic drink to consume, they should consider red wine.” More good news!
The Journal of Women’s Health is a scholarly journal devoted to information for meeting the challenges of providing optimal healthcare for women throughout their lifespan. Learn more at www.liebertpub.com/jwh.
BENEFIT #10: HELPS WARD OFF THE COMMON COLD!
The final shocking health benefit of drinking wine is its potential to help ward off the common cold. Mr. McFarland mentioned this phenomenon in his tweet, and The Daily Mail confirms that “drinking a moderate amount [of wine] can help develop a kind of immunity against the 200 viruses that trigger the [common cold]…people who had more than 14 glasses of wine a week had a 40% lower risk of getting a cold than [those who did not drink].” Learn more at The Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail is a British newspaper dedicated to all of the latest news, showbiz, science, sport, and health stories. Visit www.dailymail.co.uk for more information.
