What are the benefits of drinking red wine?
- Improves heart health
- Boosts cognitive functions
- Promotes eye health
- Improves digestion
- Maintains dental health
- Helps fight off viruses
- Regulates blood sugar
Nothing beats a glass of red wine with a delicious meal, or a few sips to end the day on a relaxed note. Red wine has a unique flavor that many people enjoy and it has become a must at various social and cultural events. It is also a great stress reliever, and to top it all off, it has many health benefits associated with it.
That’s right; those are just some of the benefits of drinking red wine, and health is one of them!
Note that moderation is key when drinking wine. Excessive consumption can harm the body and negate any benefits. However, if consumed in moderation, a glass of red wine before bed can provide surprising health benefits.
Let's explore these benefits further.
Improves heart health
The occasional glass of red during dinner can help with your heart health. You may not know this, but red wine contains certain antioxidants like resveratrol, procyanidins, and polyphenols. These improve cholesterol levels by reducing bad and increasing good cholesterol, preventing damage to blood vessels, and reducing inflammation. They also regulate blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce the formation of blood clots. All of these work together to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve heart health.
Boosts cognitive functions
Among the antioxidants found in red wine that were enumerated above, resveratrol has also been shown to have potential benefits for brain health. When consumed, this antioxidant can help in improving memory and cognitive ability by increasing blood flow and protecting neurons, reducing oxidative stress to delay cognitive decline, and promoting the growth of new brain cells. Overall, it enhances the function of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that affects memory formation.
Promotes eye health
Resveratrol and polyphenols have both been found to protect the retina from damage, slow down age-related vision loss, and reduce the risk of conditions like high blood pressure or stroke, which can lead to loss of vision.
Improves digestion
Red wine contains tannins, compounds from grapes that have potential benefits for digestion such as stimulating the production of digestive enzymes, promoting gut health, relieving digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion, and promoting healthy bacteria growth in the gut.
However, wine drinkers should always remember that this must still be consumed in moderation. Consuming too much wine can also have negative effects on your digestive system. These include acid reflux and heartburn. It can also disrupt your sleeping patterns.
Maintains dental health
Polyphenol in red wine has the potential to reduce plaque buildup on your teeth. It does this by slowing down enzymes that break down tooth enamel. This promotes a healthy balance of oral bacteria to maintain overall oral health.
Helps fight off viruses
The antioxidants in red wine, including resveratrol, procyanidins, and polyphenols can potentially boost the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and protecting against cellular damage. Overall, this reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves overall health.
Regulates blood sugar
Resveratrol, in addition to the many benefits we already mentioned, also has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, regulating glucose metabolism and reducing the risk of Type-2 diabetes, and slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates, which can help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels after a meal.
When is the best time to drink red wine?
Now that you know the many benefits of drinking red wine, the next question you should ask is when is the best time to drink this. Here’s how you can enjoy your glass of red with moderation.
It’s best to enjoy 1 -2 glasses a day. However, this should not be done every day. Throughout the week, be sure to have 1 - 2 alcohol-free days as well.
If you’re looking for a wine that’s not only good for your body but relaxing and de-stressing for your soul, we recommend the Hopes End Red Blend or the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon. Either of these options is sure to keep you satisfied, whether you’re pairing it with a meal or simply enjoying a few sips before bed.
Key Takeaway
And there you have it! Those are some of the potential benefits of drinking red wine for your heart, mind, and body. Remember that all these can only be achieved if wine is drunk in moderation, and too much wine can actually have bad effects rather than good.
For more wines and spirits, get your fix from the supplier of the best red wines in the Philippines— Ralph’s! Browse our wine collection in our online shop today!
