Wine can provide health benefits, like reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease, promoting gut health and increasing your longevity.
These are made possible due to the presence of tannins, flavonoids and resveratrol in wine, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These are phytonutrients that are mostly found in purple grape peels.
However, the World Health Organization states that there is no safe amount of alcohol recommended to achieve specific health benefits, and the American Heart Association does not recommend the consumption of alcoholic beverages specifically to obtain health benefits. In addition, the phytonutrients present in wine are also found in other foods, such as grapes, purple grape juice, cocoa and berries.
Health benefits
Some of the possible health benefits of drinking red wine are:
- Lowering the risk of atherosclerosis, because it helps to increase HDL levels (ie. "good cholesterol"), while also lowering LDL levels (ie. "bad cholesterol")
- Helping to prevent high blood pressure by relaxing and dilating the blood vessels, which facilitates blood circulation.
- Preventing cancer by helping to fight free radicals, which are one of the factors responsible for damaging the body's healthy cells.
- Helping treat chronic diseases, such as arthritis or skin problems, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.
- Reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action;
- Preventing clots and strokes, because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, which prevents fat cell oxidation as well as the formation of fatty plaques within the arteries.
- Strengthening the immune system, because it contains anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties, which improves the quality and quantity of good bacteria in the gut and strengthening the cells of the immune system.
- Helping to prevent diabetes, because the antioxidant properties in wine can reduce insulin resistance.
- Increase longevity, as antioxidants help activate telomerase, an enzyme that protects the ends of DNA chromosomes.
- Promoting gut health, as it can help to restore the quality and quantity of the beneficial bacteria that is naturally found in the intestines.
It is important to note that there are no scientific studies available that prove whether wine is directly related to these health benefits.
In addition, the World Health Organization states that there are no safe amounts of alcohol consumption and the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage in order to obtain health benefits.
It is also important to note that the antioxidant compounds present in wine are also found in high quantities in many foods, such as grapes, purple grape juice, cocoa and berries.
Nutritional information
The following table outlines the nutritional information for 100 ml of red wine, white wine and grape juice:
In order to achieve the health benefits of drinking wine, it is also essential to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, combined with regular exercise.
Maximum amount
The American Heart Association does not recommend drinking any alcohol beverages in general. However, the maximum recommended amount of wine per day is up to 148 ml for women and up to 295 ml for men.
The World Health Organization does not recommend any amount of wine or any other alcoholic beverage.
Possible risks
Because of its alcohol content, drinking wine consumption can increase your risk for conditions like:
- Alcoholism
- Some types of cancer, such as mouth, breast, intestine, throat, liver and esophageal
- Liver problems, such as cirrhosis of the liver and fatty liver
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and heart failure
In addition, excessive wine consumption can also cause memory problems, anxiety, depression and type 2 diabetes.
Contraindications
Wine should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not suitable for people under the age of 18 and for people who are driving.
People who are undergoing treatment or recovering from alcoholism, or who have difficulty controlling the amount they drink should not consume wine.
In addition, people who regularly take medication or have health problems should always consult a doctor before drinking wine.
Wine FAQs
Some common questions about wine are:
1. Does wine contain alcohol?
Yes, wine has alcohol which is produced from the fermentation of grape sugars by yeast.
The alcohol content of wine varies depending on the time of the year the grapes were grown, the climate and the soil.
2. Are there any benefits of wine during pregnancy?
There are no benefits of drinking wine during pregnancy.
Drinking wine or other alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome in the baby. Alcohol intake can also increase the risk of complications, such as premature birth and miscarriage.
3. Can you drink wine while breastfeeding?
It is not recommended to drink wine or alcoholic beverages while breastfeeding. Alcohol can be excreted into breast milk, which interferes with the baby's development.