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People have been drinking wine for thousands of years, and the benefits of doing so have been well documented.
Emerging research continues to suggest that drinking wine in moderation — about a glass per day — offers several benefits.
This article explains everything you need to know about the health benefits of drinking wine, which type is healthiest, and its potential downsides.
Potential benefits of drinking wine
There are several benefits to drinking a glass of wine.
Rich in antioxidants
There are many antioxidant-rich foods and beverages, and wine is one of them.
Antioxidants are compounds that prevent cellular damage caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a condition caused by an imbalance between antioxidants and unstable molecules called free radicals, which can damage your cells.
Grapes have high levels of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Because red wine grapes are higher in antioxidants than white grape varieties, drinking red wine may increase your blood antioxidant levels to a greater extent than drinking white.
In fact, one 2-week study in 40 adults found that consuming 13.5 ounces (400 ml) of red wine daily increased antioxidant status.
Higher antioxidant status is associated with a decreased risk of disease. For example, drinking red wine has been associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with oxidative stress.
May help combat inflammation
Wine contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Chronic inflammation is harmful and may increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and certain cancers. Therefore, it’s best to prevent this type of inflammation as much as possible.
Chronic inflammation can be reduced through diet, stress reduction, and exercise.
Many foods have the power to reduce inflammation, and wine is thought to be one of them.
Studies suggest that a compound called resveratrol in wine has anti-inflammatory properties and may benefit health.
One study in 4,461 adults demonstrated that moderate consumption of wine was linked to a reduced inflammatory response.
Participants in this study self-reported their alcohol intake. Those who consumed up to 1.4 ounces (40 grams) of alcohol per day experienced less inflammation than those who didn’t drink.
What’s more, in a study including 2,900 women, those who consumed a glass of wine daily had significantly reduced inflammatory markers compared with women who abstained from alcohol.
On the other hand, other research has found red wine to have a less dramatic effect.
A study in 87 adults of an average age of 50 found that drinking 5 ounces (150 ml) of red wine daily caused only slight reductions in inflammatory markers compared with abstaining from alcohol.
Although the research is promising, more studies are needed to better understand the anti-inflammatory benefits of wine.
May benefit heart health
Studies show that individuals who consume moderate amounts of wine have reduced rates of heart disease.
Researchers believe that red wine’s high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases.
Some research suggests that drinking red wine may reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Yet, other studies suggest that a daily glass of red wine does not reduce blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure or those who already have heart disease.
What’s more, wine may interact with medication that lowers blood pressure.
Furthermore, excessive alcohol consumption may have negative effects on heart health, including increased blood pressure and a higher risk of developing heart disease.
Whether moderate wine intake benefits heart health is up for debate as research in this area continues.
Other benefits
Drinking wine in moderation may also have other benefits:
- May benefit mental health. An occasional glass of wine may reduce the risk of depression. However, excessive drinking can have the opposite effect, putting you at a higher risk of this condition.
- May promote longevity. Studies have found that drinking moderate amounts of wine as part of a healthy diet may increase longevity thanks to wine’s high antioxidant content.
- May promote healthy gut bacteria. Recent studies have even suggested that red wine may promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which may improve metabolic syndrome markers in people with obesity.
Which type of wine has the most benefit?
Many people wonder about the differences between red and white wine.
Unfortunately, more research on white wine is needed, as most studies analyzing the benefits of drinking wine has focused on the beneficial properties of red wine.
Red wine has been widely acknowledged for its high concentration of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant found in grape skins.
In fact, red wine has up to 10 times more resveratrol than white wine.
Potential downsides
Excessive alcohol intake can be harmful. Binge drinking and consuming high amounts of alcohol is associated with negative health outcomes.
In fact, an average of 87, 798 people die in the United States each year due to excessive alcohol consumption. This accounts for 1 in 10 deaths for adults between the ages of 20 and 64.
Heavy alcohol consumption poses several health risks, including an increased risk of certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, liver and pancreatic diseases, as well as unintentional injury.
A recent analysis of studies found the optimal daily intake of wine to be 1 glass (150 ml) for women and 2 glasses (300 ml) for men. Drinking this moderate amount of wine is associated with health benefits, while drinking more than that may impact your health.
The US government’s most recent dietary guidelines make similar recommendations. They suggest that, if you drink alcohol, you should do so in moderation, which means one drink for women and up to two drinks for men per day.
Keep in mind that even though moderate wine consumption can provide several health benefits, it’s important to consider your overall diet quality. An unhealthy diet can outweigh the benefits of drinking a daily glass of wine.
Additionally, certain individuals should abstain from alcohol, including minors, pregnant women, and individuals on certain medications.
Should you drink wine for your health?
Studies have found that consuming moderate amounts of wine along with a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is beneficial for your health.
Research has found the optimal daily amount to be 1 glass (150 ml) for women and 2 glasses (300 ml) for men. This regimen is part of a Mediterranean diet and has been associated with beneficial health outcomes and disease prevention.
Although research suggests that drinking a glass of wine has several potential health benefits, they can also be obtained by eating a healthy diet.
In other words, if you didn’t drink wine before, you don’t need to start simply for the health benefits.
For example, a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber, legumes, fish, and nuts already provides high amounts of antioxidants and helps prevent heart disease.
The bottom line
Research suggests that drinking an occasional glass of red wine is good for you.
It provides antioxidants, may promote longevity, and can help protect against heart disease and harmful inflammation, among other benefits.
Interestingly, red wine likely has higher levels of antioxidants than white wine. Still, more research is needed to better understand which types of wine provide the most benefits.
However, it’s important to remember that drinking wine is not healthy for everyone, nor is it necessary. You can reap the same benefits by consuming a healthy diet.
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Is red wine good for you?
Red wine has been part of social, religious, and cultural events for hundreds of years. Medieval monasteries believed that their monks lived longer partly because of their regular, moderate drinking of wine.
In recent years, science has indicated that there could be truth in these claims.
According to a 2018 study, although notably there are no official recommendations around these benefits, drinking red wine in moderation has positive links with:
- • cardiovascular disease
- • atherosclerosis
- • hypertension
- • certain types of cancer
- • type 2 diabetes
- • neurological disorders
- • metabolic syndrome
How might red wine improve health?
Red wine may get its health benefits from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating effects.
Red wine — made from crushed dark grapes — is a relatively rich source of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in the skin of grapes.
Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has clear links with many diseases, including cancers and heart disease.
There are many healthful, antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
Whole grapes and berries are better sources of resveratrol than red wine, and because of the health risks linked with drinking alcohol, getting antioxidants from foods is likely to be more healthful than drinking wine.
People may need to drink a lot of red wine to get enough resveratrol to have an effect, which could do more harm than good.
That said, when choosing between alcoholic beverages, red wine may be more healthful than some others.
The following sections take a closer look at the possible health benefits of red wine.
1. Cardiovascular health
Many studies through the years have shown a positive link between moderate red wine drinking and good heart health.
Recently, a 2019 review reported that drinking red wine is linked with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, which is a leading cause of disease and death in the United States.
The authors concluded that red wine might have cardioprotective effects.
However, the American Heart Association (AHA) say that such studies do not show cause-and-effect relationships. Other factors may play a role. For example, people who drink red wine in moderation may also follow a more healthful lifestyle or a Mediterranean diet.
They also point out that excess alcohol can directly harm the heart. To stay safe, people should stay within official CDC guidelines from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), which define moderate drinking as:
- • 1 glass of wine per day for females
- • 2 glasses of wine for males
One glass of wine is 5 ounces (oz) of 12% alcohol by volume.
2. Gut health
A 2018 study reports that polyphenols from red wine and grapes can improve the gut microbiota, contributing to a healthy gut.
According to 2012 research, red wine compounds may also act as prebiotics, which are compounds that boost healthy gut bacteria.
In 2016, researchers suggested red wine could reduce the risk of heart disease through its effects on the gut microbiome.
However, the research is limited, and doctors need more evidence before understanding the true effects of red wine on gut health.
3. Type 2 diabetes
One 2015 study has shown that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner “modestly decreases cardiometabolic risk” in people with type 2 diabetes and that a moderate intake of red wine is usually safe.
The scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a crucial role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute. They call for more research to confirm the findings.
Anyone with diabetes should check with their doctor before drinking alcohol.
3. Blood pressure
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), resveratrol — an antioxidant in red wine — may reduce blood pressure and increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
In 2006, scientists reported that red wine compounds called procyanidins help keep the blood vessels healthy.
Many people find an alcoholic drink relaxes them, but results published in 2012 indicate that nonalcoholic red wine, too, can reduce blood pressure. This could be a more healthful option.
It is important, however, to note that drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure and arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rhythm.
4. Brain damage after stroke
A 2015 review reports that resveratrol may help protect against secondary brain damage after a stroke or central nervous system injury. This is due to its positive effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death.
However, these studies show the effects of resveratrol rather than red wine itself.
5. Vision loss
Resveratrol may also help prevent vision loss by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, according to 2016 research.
Many forms of age-related eye conditions that cause vision loss involve these factors, including:
- • glaucoma
- • cataracts
- • diabetic retinopathy
- • macular degeneration
6. Cancer
Some research says that drinking red wine in moderation could reduce the risk of certain cancers.
However, the National Cancer Institute say there is strong evidence that drinking alcohol can cause certain cancers, especially drinking heavily over time.
This is partly because it creates toxins in the body, damages body tissues, and creates oxidation. This means that the potential adverse effects of alcohol may outweigh any benefit from resveratrol.
The National Cancer Institute links alcohol use with a range of cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, breast, and colon cancer.
For most people, enjoying red wine in moderation is safe, but it is important to keep in mind that drinking alcohol in excess is harmful.
Some studies, however, link moderate red wine intake with reduced risk or better outcomes in cancer. The following sections look at specific studies into red wine and particular types of cancer.
Breast cancer
Alcohol increases estrogen in the body, a chemical that encourages the growth of cancer cells.
However, a 2012 study says that the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in red wine — and to a lesser extent, white wine may reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone in females approaching menopause.
The researchers say that this may be why red wine is less associated with increased breast cancer risk than other types of alcohol.
Lung cancer
A 2017 review reports that resveratrol has protective effects against cancer in both human and laboratory studies. The mechanisms include preventing cell proliferation and tumor growth, inducing cell death in cancer cells, and inhibiting metastasis.
However, again, these effects are for resveratrol rather than red wine itself.
Prostate cancer
A study from 2019 reports that males who drank alcohol had a slightly lower risk of lethal prostate cancer, and that red wine had links with a lower risk of progression to lethal disease.
The authors say that these results mean moderate alcohol consumption is safe for people with prostate cancer.
7. Dementia
According to a 2018 report, researchers have found an increased risk of dementia in people who abstained from drinking wine.
The authors say that this may be because of the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols and other compounds in wine that can reduce inflammation and alter the lipid profile in the body.
8. Depression
A 2013 study on 5,505 people over 7 years showed that those who drank between 2–7 glasses of wine each week had lower levels of depression.
They also reported that people who drank heavily were more at risk for depression.
9. Liver disease
Alcohol is a common cause of liver disease. However, a moderate intake of red wine has links with good liver health in some contexts.
According to a 2018 study, modest alcohol intake — particularly wine — is linked with lower liver fibrosis in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
That said, the impact of red wine on liver health is complicated. Although it provides antioxidants and reduces oxidative stress, drinking can also increase uric acid and triglycerides, which damages the liver.
Researchers need to complete more studies to work out the complex effects of moderate red wine intake on liver health.
That said, people who currently have liver disease should avoid alcohol altogether.
10. Longer life
Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce the risk of some chronic disease, as discussed above, so it follows that it may help people to live longer.
Indeed, one popularized 2000 study reported that “Men aged 45–64 at entry drinking about 5 drinks per day have a longer life expectancy than occasional and heavy drinkers.”
However, this is likely due to confounding factors, such as diet, as discussed in a 2018 review. For instance, red wine is a common addition to the Mediterranean diet, an eating pattern that has established links with good health and long life.
Red or white wine?
Resveratrol appears to underlie many of the health benefits of red wine.
Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine as it is fermented with the skins, while white wine is not. Most of the resveratrol in grapes is in the seeds and skin.
Nonalcoholic red wines may also include resveratrol.
Warnings
Wine consumption may have some health benefits, but drinking too much of any type of alcohol can increase health risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide guidance on the health risks of drinking too much alcohol.
They report that excessive alcohol use led to around 88,000 deaths in the United States between 2006–2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years.
Further, they state that 1 in 10 deaths among adults aged 20–64 years were related to excessive drinking.
The risks of excessive alcohol use include:
- • heart problems
- • stroke
- • fatty liver disease
- • liver damage
- • mental health conditions
- • certain cancers
- • pancreatitis
People may also experience alcohol poisoning and alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking is particularly harmful to health.
Should I drink red wine?
For most people, enjoying a glass or two of red wine each day can be part of a healthful diet.
The key is moderation. Regardless of the possible health benefits, drinking excess alcohol can do more harm than good.
Despite any possible benefits, official U.S. guidelines do not recommend that people start drinking or drink more for any reason.
Ultimately, many of the benefits linked to red wine are due to the beneficial properties of resveratrol. Eating grapes and berries may, therefore, be a more healthful option.
Summary
Drinking red wine in moderation may have certain health benefits, including boosting heart, gut, and brain health. This is because it contains compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-improving effects.
Drinking alcohol is not safe for everyone, and drinking more than a moderate amount can cause serious health problems.
Source
Note 1: Wine Polyphenol Content and Its Influence on Wine Quality and Properties: A Review