Why Is Wine Good For You

Thats Where Natural Wines Come In

Natural wines have been gaining buzz among wine drinkers in the last few years largely for what they dont do. Winemakers behind natural wines, such as Dry Farm Wines, can advise consumers about each wines lack of additives and modifiers, organic farming practices, and lab-testing protocol. What I like about Dry Farm Wines is that they lab test every bottle through a third-party lab for things like mold, Dr. Cole says.

Natural wines tend to be produced by smaller, family-owned estates, and are typically organic or biodynamic. The concept of natural winemaking goes back to the historic root of winemaking: a more pure example of terroir can be produced without relying on industrial additives. Because these winemakers dont believe in additives, the natural wines they produce are added-sugar-free, lower in alcohol , and low in sulfites.

Many wine drinkers are curious about sulfites, which appear on wine labels without much explanation. All wines will have some amount of sulfites present, because yeast naturally produces sulfites during the fermentation process. Added sulfites can act as a food preservative to keep wine from spoiling or smelling bad, can keep bacterial growth at bay, and they can also keep the wine from oxidizing. The difference is that natural wines will have significantly lower levels of sulfites than their commercial counterparts, and only the naturally-occurring variety.

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Red Wine Might Lower Blood Sugar Levels

For people with type 2 diabetes, the secret to lowering blood sugar may rest in a nice glass of red or white. In an October 2015 study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who drank a glass of red or white wine at dinner had lower glucose levels than those who drank water instead. This isnt the first study to find that wine has a correlation with good blood sugar, either.

The study analyzed 224 patients with controlled type 2 diabetes. Participants of the study were randomly assigned to drink either five ounces of mineral water, white wine, or red wine after dinner every night for two years. All patients were following a healthy Mediterranean diet with no calorie restrictions.

In the end, researchers found that red wine drinkers had a modest improvement in high-density lipoproteins , aka the good cholesterol. Those who drank red or white wine also saw a slight improvement in glucose metabolism. Obviously excess drinking is harmful, but there is no good evidence to discourage moderate consumption among diabetics who have no other contraindication, said study researcher Meir Stampfer, MD.

It Can Help Eliminate Bacteria In Your Mouth

Drinking a small glass of red wine a day can help prevent problems in your teeth and gums from appearing. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it can help keep bacteria from growing. This includes streptococcus, which often causes cavities and gingivitis. It can increase your chances of neutralizing bad breath and other symptoms of infection.

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Enhance Your Immune System

Inflammation is one of the leading culprits behind many of todays health afflictions, so its a good thing that red wine has anti-inflammatory properties to help you ward off colds and flu. Also, the moderately drinking wine has been shown to considerably boost the immune system, but only when consumed in reasonable amounts and in a responsible manner. You know what they say about too much of a good thing

Can Wine Help To Reduce The Appearance Of Wrinkles

The myth: Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant, and according to some research, it can help to fight the signs of ageing and reduce wrinkles.

What our expert says: Extremely unlikely.

A good source of information on this are longevity studies. There are numerous studies seeking to understand the link between lifestyle, diet and healthy ageing. In these studies, healthy ageing is not so much about wrinkles but by how much energy and functioning you retain. One of the side effects of that is healthy skin.

The youngest looking populations for their age ranges tend to be the Japanese and the African Caribbean cultures. These are two cultures that dont drink red wine as part of their culture. The fastest ageing populations tend to be in Australia. This is where the intense sun exposure is contributing to faster ageing of the skin.

In studies on long life, researchers have repeatedly concluded that the secret to living past the age of 100 is having strong community bonds. Along with low levels of loneliness and the feeling that one is contributing to society. This is similar to having a purpose in life. There were few trends in diet and lifestyle, and the results did not change from alcohol drinking or even smoking communities.

So overall, its a strong no. Red wine that contains alcohol will not reduce the appearance of dark circle under the eyes or wrinkles unfortunately. And as weve already noted, its well documented alcohol has an ageing effect on the skin.

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Red Wine Contains Powerful Plant Compounds And Antioxidants Including Resveratrol

Grapes are rich in many antioxidants. These include resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin and proanthocyanidins .

These antioxidants, especially resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, are believed to be responsible for the health benefits of red wine.

Proanthocyanidins may reduce oxidative damage in the body. They may also help prevent heart disease and cancer (

• 11.5 glasses a day for women.
• 12 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.

Bottom Line:

Moderate intake of red wine is defined as 1-2 glasses per day. It is also recommended that you have at least 12 days a week without alcohol.

Red Wine Has More Health Benefits Than White Wine

Both red and white wine tend to confer more health benefits than other forms of alcohol. However, between red and white wine, red wine has been shown to be more beneficial than white wine.

Researchers attribute this to the fact that grape skins are used to make red wine, and these skins are rich in resveratrol and other antioxidants. Because grape skins are removed during white wine production, white wines tend to have a lower resveratrol content than red wines.

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Other Health Benefits Of Red Wine

Some other important health benefits of drinking red wine includedigestion and mental health. Grapes are very fibrous which may promote better digestive health. Fiber provides fuel for your colon cells and helps to increase the good gut bacteria in your bowels which leads to a healthy digestion system.

Drinking wine may also help with depression and anxiety symptoms. A recent studyfound that resveratrol can actually block PDE4, a stress-related hormone, that causes the main symptoms of depression. Who knew!?

Firsthow Much Is Considered One Full Glass Of Wine

Before we explore the risks and benefits of drinking a glass of wine every night, let’s get on the same page about what exactly is one glass. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, one drink is 5 ounces of wine in the U.S. Unfortunately, this means that buying a bigger wine glass won’t change our serving size for the evening.

OK, so what happens if you’re drinking a glass of wine every night?

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Reasons Why A Little Glass Of Wine Each Day May Do You Good

From Health magazine

The list of wines benefits is longand getting more surprising all the time. Already well-known as heart healthy, wine in moderation might help you lose weight, reduce forgetfulness, boost your immunity, and help prevent bone loss.

With America likely to edge out France and Italy in total wine consumption in the near future, according to one analyst, and with women buying more than 6 out of every 10 bottles sold in this country, were happy to report that wine may do all of the following:

1. Feed your headWine could preserve your memory. When researchers gave memory quizzes to women in their 70s, those who drank one drink or more every day scored much better than those who drank less or not at all. Wine helps prevent clots and reduce blood vessel inflammation, both of which have been linked to cognitive decline and heart disease, explains Tedd Goldfinger, DO, of the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Alcohol also seems to raise HDL, the so-called good cholesterol, which helps unclog your arteries.

2. Keep the scale in your cornerStudies find that people who drink wine daily have lower body mass than those who indulge occasionally moderate wine drinkers have narrower waists and less abdominal fat than people who drink liquor. Alcohol may encourage your body to burn extra calories for as long as 90 minutes after you down a glass. Beer seems to have a similar effect.

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How Much Wine Is Safe To Drink

There is no safe amount to drink of any alcohol, including wine.

If you do drink wine, the lowest-risk option is to drink as little alcohol as possible. This means staying under the recommended daily limits.

In the United States, these limits are:

• One drink or less per day for women

• Two drinks or less per day for men

In the United States, one drink is:

• 12 ounces of regular beer

• 5 ounces of wine

• 1.5 ounces of 80 proof hard liquor

This means that men should have no more than 10 ounces of wine a day. Women should have no more than 5 ounces.

Be aware: These maximums do not roll over from day to day. In other words, not drinking for several days doesnt mean you can have multiple servings of wine on a single day later in the week.

Types Of Red Wine That Are Good For You

There are over a few dozen varieties of red wines, ranging from crisp, light-bodied gamays to the robust, fortified sweetness of ports. Your favorite red wine likely falls somewhere in between, though does it land on the list of the healthiest red wines on the market?

Weve put together a list of what kinds of red wines are good for you and the all-important reasons why. These explanations are backed by research and chemistry, and will make it all the easier for you to grab a bottle or two, or a case on your next wine run or order.

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Fight Depression And Improve Mental Health

Sure, drinking a glass of wine is a relaxing way to unwind, but did you know that drinking red wine specifically, can help you fight depression as well? Regular wine drinkers are less likely to get depressed, even when confronted with stressful lifestyle dynamics, because wine reduces the anxiety associated with perceived stress.

On a relative note, red wine also contains antioxidants that promote a healthy supply of blood flow to the brain, reducing brain damage while preventing the death of precious brain neurons. The resveratrol found in wine is also well-known for its memory improving properties, as it helps to strengthen the part of your brain that responds to learning, developing memories and emotions. This leads to improved mental health and reduces the development of mental ailments such as Alzheimers and dementia.

It Helps You To Look Younger And Live Longer

Mediterranean inhabitants are known to have long lifespans, and this can be partly attributed to their religious consumption of red wine on a daily basis. From the Island of Crete to Ikaria, this centenarian-rich zone proves that daily wine intake coupled with a mostly plant-based diet can be the secret to a long life. The tannins in red wine have greater concentrations of the procyanidins compound, which is known to stimulate optimal cardiovascular health while protecting the body from the development of aging free radicals. Red wine has also been known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the skin, as well the effects of sun damage, all leading to a more youthful appearance.

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It Can Protect Your Skin From The Sun

The flavonoids found in this beverage could be useful for protecting your skin from the negative effects of the suns UV rays. These antioxidants can lower your risks of sunbruns and having irreversible damage to the skin.

• Venturini, C. D., Merlo, S., Souto, A. A., Fernandes, M. da C., Gomez, R., & Rhoden, C. R. . Resveratrol and Red Wine Function as Antioxidants in the Nervous System without Cellular Proliferative Effects during Experimental Diabetes. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
• Zhang, Z., Chen, N., Liu, J. B., Wu, J. B., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., & Jiang, X. . Protective effect of resveratrol against acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide via inhibiting the myd88-dependent Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway. Molecular Medicine Reports.
• Monteiro, R., Soares, R., Guerreiro, S., Pestana, D., Calhau, C., & Azevedo, I. . Red wine increases adipose tissue aromatase expression and regulates body weight and adipocyte size. Nutrition.
• Granzotto, A., & Zatta, P. . Resveratrol and Alzheimers disease: Message in a bottle on red wine and cognition. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

17 December, 2018

Drinking Wine Strengthens The Bones

Past researchers have associated moderate wine drinking with improved bone density. As humans age, bones are becoming thinner and weaker. New studies show that drinking wine in moderation may help reduce the risk of having osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is most common in women after they have reached the menopausal stage. Osteoporosis makes the bone brittle and more fragile with increased susceptibility to bone fracture.

One or two glasses of wine per day can protect women from thinning bones. It appears that modest consumption of wine bridges the imbalance between the dissolving old bone and the poor production of new bone that can lead to osteoporosis in older women.

Key Takeaway: Osteoporosis can be lessened through modest consumption of wine in older women.

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Red Wine For Heart Health: Is It Good Or Bad

In the 1980s a theory emerged from French scientists called the French paradox. It referred to how the French had a low incidence of death from heart disease even though they eat a higher amount of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol from foods like cheese and butter. The X factor, they said: red wine. Antioxidant compounds in red wine, called flavonoids specifically resveratrol, which comes from grape skins was credited as being cardioprotective.

However, that theory hasnt been proven. Wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol that, in a test tube study and on cells under certain circumstances, has been shown to be beneficial. But thats true for a lot of compounds that dont pan out when studied rigorously, explains Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, executive director of interventional cardiovascular programs at Brigham and Womens Hospital Heart & Vascular Center and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. In other words, more research in humans is needed.

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You cant ignore the impact alcohol has on cancer, as well. The American Cancer Society points out that alcohol use is responsible for 6 percent of all cancers and 4 percent of cancer deaths in the United States. Alcohol is associated with mouth, esophagus, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers, among others.

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Wine May Contribute To Weight Loss

There might be some controversy surrounding wine and its ability to burn fat. A 2015 study from Oregon State University, however, suggests that there is some truth to it. Ellagic acid is an antioxidant found in red muscadine, a type of red wine.

Test on overweight mice have shown that ellagic acid does, speed up the fat burning process.

Red muscadine wine grapes are, unfortunately, not very common. The grapes have the highest ellagic acid content and are native to Georgia and the south-eastern US.

Luckily, ellagic acid can also be found in pomegranates, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. You can make your occasional glass of wine more nutritious with a handful of these fruits.

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