Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Health Could Be a Sip Away

Feb 15, 2018 | Health & Wellness

Getting healthy might be the most enjoyable thing you do all year! Not only because it will leave you feeling great, but your path to better health may include your favorite wine.

Wine, particularly red wine, is high in resveratrol, a polyphenol compound found in certain plants – like grapes. The effects of resveratrol have shown to boost heart health, prevent some types of vision loss and have anticarcinogenic effects.

The process of fermentation increases the levels of resveratrol found in the grapes, adding larger benefits to the consumer. The key to reaping the benefits of wine is moderation. The benefits can quickly be outweighed if too much alcohol is consumed on a routine basis.

Here, we explain a few of the health benefits you may notice.

Longevity

One to two glasses of wine per day could cut your risk for developing various life-shortening diseases and illnesses by almost 25 percent. Studies suggest low to moderate intake of wine is also associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and other causes. Similar intake of spirits implied an increased risk, while beer drinking did not affect mortality.

Preventative Health

Stroke: Phenols act as a natural blood thinner against clots, which could reduce your risk for stroke.

Heart Attack: Polyphenols have been attributed to antioxidant activities and their interactions within the body may help modify cardiovascular disease by improving the overall health of your heart. In combination with a measurable increase in HDL, or good cholesterol, regularly drinking red wine may improve heart health over time.

Cancer: Antioxidants found in wine combat nasty free radicals that allow cancer to thrive. Red wine especially is beneficial, as the resveratrol that fights against heart disease also fights against cancerous cells.

Type 2 Diabetes: Resveratrol has been proven to improve sensitivity to insulin. With insulin resistance contributing to type 2 diabetes risk, wine may be able to counter these effects.

Cognition

Moderate drinkers – individuals consuming one to two classes of wine per day, may be preventing cognitive decline. Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in nondrinkers than in moderate drinkers. According to The New England Journal of Medicine “up to one drink per day does not impair cognitive function and may actually decrease the risk of cognitive decline.”

For individuals who do not currently drink, adding wine to your routine simply for the health benefits is not recommended. As research continues to tout the health benefits of wine, sit back, relax and take a sip.

X
X