The health benefits of red wine have been debated for some time. This article takes a detailed look at red wine and its health effects.
Many believe that a glass each day is a valuable part of a healthy diet, while others think wine is somewhat overrated.
Studies have repeatedly shown that moderate red wine consumption seems to lower the risk of several diseases, including heart disease.
However, there is a fine line between moderate and excessive intake.
What is red wine and how is it made?
Red wine is made by crushing and fermenting dark-colored, whole grapes.
There are many types of red wine, which vary in taste and color. Common varieties include Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, and Zinfandel.
The alcohol content usually ranges from 12–15%.
Consuming moderate amounts of red wine has been shown to have health benefits. This is mainly due to its high content of powerful antioxidants.
The alcohol in the wine is also believed to contribute to some of the benefits of moderate wine consumption.
SUMMARY
Red wine is made by fermenting dark-colored, whole grapes. It is high in antioxidants, and drinking moderate amounts has been shown to be good for health.
Red wine is often believed to be responsible for the “French paradox.”
This phrase refers to the observation that the French have low rates of heart disease, despite consuming a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Some experts believed that red wine was the dietary agent protecting the French population from the harmful effects of these nutrients.
However, new studies have shown that dietary cholesterol and saturated fat do not cause heart disease when consumed in reasonable amounts.
The true reason behind the good health of the French is probably the fact that they eat more whole foods and live overall healthier lifestyles.
SUMMARY
Some people believe that red wine is responsible for the good health of the French population and that it is the main explanation for the French paradox. In fact, a healthier diet and lifestyle may be a larger factor in these results.
Red wine may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death
Small amounts of red wine are linked to more health benefits than any other alcoholic beverage. These benefits occur when a part of a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet.
There seems to be a J-shaped curve that explains the relationship between wine intake and the risk of heart disease.
People who drink approximately 150 ml (5 oz) of red wine a day moderately decrease their risk compared to non-drinkers.
However, higher intake increases the risk of heart disease dramatically.
Drinking small amounts of red wine may reduce the risk of heart disease by helping to retain the “good” HDL cholesterol in the blood. Oxidative damage and the oxidation of the “bad” LDL cholesterol may also be reduced by up to 50%.
One study also showed that consuming 2–3 glasses of dealcoholized red wine per day may lower blood pressure.
Some older studies have found that moderate wine drinkers are at a lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to non-drinkers or beer and spirit drinkers, but newer research is needed to confirm this claim.
SUMMARY
Drinking 1–2 glasses of red wine each day may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, high amounts may increase the risk.
Other health benefits of drinking red wine
Red wine has been linked with several other health benefits, many of which are attributed to its potent antioxidants.
Red wine consumption is linked to:
1. Reduced risk of dementia: Drinking 1–2 glasses of wine per day has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Reduced risk of depression: A study of middle-aged and elderly people showed that those who drank 2–7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to become depressed.
3. Reduced insulin resistance: Drinking 2 glasses per day of regular or dealcoholized red wine for 4 weeks may reduce insulin resistance.
4. Reduced risk of COVID-19 infection: A recent study found that red wine and fortified wine played a role in protecting test subjects from COVID-19 infection, while beer and spirits were shown to increase their risk.
It seems clear that small to moderate amounts of red wine can be good for you. However, there are also some important negative aspects to consider, which are discussed below.
SUMMARY
Moderate red wine consumption may reduce the dementia and depression. It may also increase insulin sensitivity and resistance to the COVID-19 virus.
Negative health effects of drinking too much alcohol
While a moderate amount of red wine may provide health benefits, consuming too much alcohol can cause devastating health effects.
These include:
1. Alcohol dependence: Drinking alcohol regularly may become out of control and lead to alcoholism.
2. Liver cirrhosis: When more than 30 grams of alcohol (about 2–3 glasses of wine) are consumed each day, the risk of developing liver disease increases. End-stage liver disease, called cirrhosis, is life-threatening.
3. Increased risk of cancer: Alcohol consumption is a risk factor in 4% of all cancers. The most common types affected by alcohol are breast and colorectal cancers.
4. Increased risk of depression: Heavy drinkers are at a much higher risk of depression than moderate or non-drinkers.
5. Weight gain: Red wine contains twice the amount of calories as beer and sugary soft drinks. Excessive consumption may therefore contribute to high-calorie intake and make you gain weight.
6. Increased risk of death and disease: Drinking a lot of wine, even only 1–3 days a week, may increase the risk of diabetes in men. High alcohol intake has also been linked with an increased risk of premature death.
SUMMARY
An excessive intake of alcoholic beverages may cause alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis and weight gain. It may also increase the risk of depression, disease and premature death.
Should you drink red wine? If yes, how much?
If you like drinking red wine, there is no need to worry unless you are exceeding the recommended amount.
In Europe and America, moderate red wine consumption is considered to be:
1. 1–1.5 glasses a day for women.
2. 1–2 glasses a day for men.
Some sources also recommend having 1-2 alcohol-free days each week.
Keep in mind that this refers to total alcohol intake. Drinking this amount of red wine in addition to other alcoholic beverages could easily put you in the range of excessive consumption.
If you have a history of substance abuse, then you should probably avoid wine and any other alcoholic beverage completely. Also, be very careful if you have a family history of alcoholism.
SUMMARY
Moderate intake of red wine is defined as 1-2 glasses per day. It is also recommended that you have at least 1–2 days a week without alcohol.
Despite red wine being linked with some health benefits, none of them are worthy of encouraging alcohol consumption.
There are many other effective ways to improve your health that don’t require you to consume something that can be harmful.
However, if you are already drinking red wine, then there’s no need to stop (unless you’re drinking too much).
As long as you don’t drink more than 1–2 glasses per day, then it should only be doing you good, as long as you are consuming it with a balanced diet such as the Mediterranean diet.
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