Research suggests that having a glass of red or white on a regular basis can enhance overall health.
Moderation is defined by The United States Dietary Guidelines as “up to one drink per day for women, and up to two drinks per day for men.” Below are several examples of the positive health benefits of wine.
Cognitive Decline
One or two alcoholic drinks a day may lower the possibility of developing dementia by nearly 40 percent. The moderate drinkers included in the study were over the age of 75 and displayed a reduced risk of dementia compared to peers who did not drink and those who had more than two drinks each day.
Cancer
Moderate consumption of red wine cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent. Substances in wine, including phenolic compounds and antioxidants like resveratrol, may slow the growth of cells related to breast, prostate and liver cancer.
Diabetes
Moderate drinkers have 30 percent less risk than nondrinkers of developing type 2 diabetes.
Studies show that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner “modestly decreases cardio metabolic risk” in people with type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a key role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute to the health benefits.
Heart Disease
Red wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease.
Wine and other types of alcohol are also believed to reduce the formation of blood clots, improve function of blood-vessel cells and help stop damage from arteries caused by harmful cholesterol.
What does it all mean?
Despite all the good news about wine and health, if you do not currently drink, doctors do not advise individuals to start simply for the health benefits.
Drinking to excess can increase the risk of a variety of health problems – and can outweigh the benefits gained from moderate drinking.
As scientific research continues, the best policy for wine drinkers is to enjoy your wine while keeping consumption at a moderate level.
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