It is not uncommon to hear that a glass of red wine is good for health. But what exactly does red wine have a beneficial effect on and why?
Over the last few decades, numerous studies have been conducted that tried to find a connection between the food and drinks we consume and our health. One of them is red wine, and these are the reasons why even today you can reach for a glass after work.
1. Protects the heart
It is believed that red wine has an effect on the protection of the cardiovascular system, as well as that regular consumption (of course, in moderate quantities) also affects the reduction of the possibility of developing heart diseases. However, the American Heart Association warns that it is probably related to lifestyle, which includes eating habits. According to them, red wine has a positive effect when it is in harmony with a menu full of fruits and vegetables.
2. Fights inflammation
Red wine is full of polyphenols, compounds such as resveratrol, tannin and catechin, and this can be attributed to the presence of anthocyanin pigments. Especially valuable is resveratrol, which, in addition to wine and grapes, is also found in peanuts and dark chocolate.
The value of the sum of polyphenols found in wine is recognized, and as such they are full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is precisely why red grapes, from which red wine is made, are often an ingredient in face creams, especially for skin prone to inflammatory processes such as acne and redness.
3. Strengthens the mind
The flavanols in wine can protect the body’s cells that support healthy blood vessels—a key physiological benefit that can improve blood flow to the brain and prevent the development of harmful deposits on the cells. Although tests on humans have not yet confirmed this, it is believed that the previously mentioned resveratrol can prevent memory decline associated with old age.
4. May affect longevity
When it comes to old age, a study published in 2014 (Widmer, Flammer, L. Lerman, A. Lerman), which followed people for several decades, showed that resveratrol, in combination with adequate healthy diet, the reason why some people live longer than others. This is exactly why it is recommended to drink a glass of red wine with dishes from Mediterranean cuisine or well-balanced meals at your own discretion.
5. Improves mood
It’s no secret that a glass of wine improves mood, but now it has been proven. Namely, the results of the previously mentioned research showed that people relax more easily and become in a better mood in an environment they consider inhospitable if they consume a glass of wine. Then their mood was the same as those people who were exposed to a pleasant and hospitable atmosphere from the beginning of the experiment.
Are there any downsides to wine consumption?
Like any food or drink, red wine has another side of the coin. Of course, this refers to excessive consumption. Experts, as you can see, always emphasize the advantages of red wine, but when we talk about it, we mean the occasional glass of wine, not its regular drinking. It is precisely with such a balance that we will enable our body to truly use the best of wine.
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