Wine has long been revered as an aid to health. But excessive drinking may increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, obesity and more.
Wine contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, with some studies linking moderate wine intake with increased longevity.
1. Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant global health problem affecting millions of people around the globe, putting many at risk of heart disease and stroke if left uncontrolled.
Studies have demonstrated that moderate wine consumption is effective at helping lower blood pressure. The polyphenols found in wine may relax arteries and improve circulation; however, alcohol may interact negatively with certain blood pressure medications.
2. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Research published in 2000 revealed that moderate wine consumption significantly lowered all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared with non-drinkers, possibly due to its phenols which decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, blood clotting risk and inflammation in vessels. Researchers believe the positive results can be attributed to LDL oxidation reduction by wine as well as reduced inflammation due to LDL oxidation prevention.
Wine’s benefits are most evident when consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet; however, studies show that any alcohol can have positive health impacts if taken in moderation.
3. Lowers Risk of Cancer
Studies suggest that red wine’s content of resveratrol may help to combat cancer cell growth and research has indicated that grapes used to create wine may contain phenolic compounds which reduce breast cancer risks.
Researchers have examined the relationship between wine consumption and general, upper digestive tract, colorectal, renal, pancreatic, skin, lung, brain and gynecological cancers. Results demonstrate that moderate daily wine drinkers have lower risks of developing these forms of cancers compared with nondrinkers.
4. Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Researchers have revealed that drinking moderate quantities of wine with meals has been found to significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but only applies to wine and not other alcoholic beverages such as cocktails or sweet dessert wines that contain higher sugar amounts than regular wine.
Wine has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to regulate glucose levels. This can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.
5. Lowers Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have discovered that moderate wine drinking reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This may be attributed to wine drinkers tending to follow a Mediterranean-style diet which promotes brain health.
Wine contains resveratrol, which may help protect against oxidative stress which leads to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, too much alcohol consumption increases your risk of dementia and mental problems.
6. Boosts Mood
Wine has the ability to lift one’s spirits. This may be because its ethanol stimulates dopamine neurotransmitters that stimulates their release in your brain.
Researchers discovered that those who enjoyed wine in an enjoyable atmosphere experienced positive shifts in consciousness. To fully appreciate its effects, however, mindful consumption should always be undertaken; further investigation should explore how personality traits and aesthetic elements play a part in wine drinking experiences.
7. Lowers Risk of Depression
Researchers discovered that those who consumed two to seven small glasses of wine weekly were 32 percent less likely to develop depression than nondrinkers – this finding goes against previous studies which linked drinking with higher risk of depression.
Researchers hypothesize that their findings might be attributable to social influences or to polyphenol antioxidants found in wine that might repair inflammation in the brain.
8. Lowers Risk of Stroke
Researchers studying health data from multiple nations discovered that moderate wine intake is linked to lower stroke risks; beer, spirits and other forms of alcohol did not demonstrate similar protection.
Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, helps protect nerves and the blood vessels they connect to as well as fight free radicals, contributing to what has come to be known as the French paradox: high-fat diets with relatively lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in their population.
10. Boosts Immune System
Researchers from the University of Florida have recently observed that wine does not impair immunity as much as other alcoholic beverages do, due to phenolic compounds present in wine that counteract its harmful effects on circulating natural killer (NK) cells.
Reducing inflammation by pairing wine with healthy diet choices like lean proteins and fruits.
The Melbourne Wine Store is an online liquor store that provides an assortment of premium wines directly sourced from vineyards and wineries, along with free local delivery and custom labelling to make ordering wine easy in Australia. They provide recommendations to complement meals or special events from leading wine brands; their wines contain high levels of resveratrol to protect against heart disease, cancer, arthritis and insulin regulation – it is best to opt for pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon varieties since these contain the most resveratrol content!
