Health Benefits of Red Wine
Red wine, which contains resveratrol, has many benefits for the body. Although red wine is not recommended because of the amount of alcohol it contains, still its positive effects on health can not be denied.
There is evidence that resveratrol may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Red wines are full of anti-oxidants. Dark grape skin contains the nutrient that is responsible for the red color of the wine. In fact, it contains a lot more antioxidants than other foods.
Resveratrol, which is present in the skin of grapes, boosts heart health and reduces cancer risk. Studies have been done on mice to show how resveratrol protects against cancer.
Mouse studies show that resveratrol decreases the risk of cancer by acting against enzymes that help in tumor formation. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties and is good for your heart.
You can drink red wine or eat grapes to get the antioxidant effect. But you should prefer it only once in a while because too much alcohol causes other problems for health.
The potential benefits of red wine:
Red wine contains antioxidants and phenolic acids that protect the heart and prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant found in grapes, peanuts, and some berries increases the activity of SIRT-1 protein which is responsible for anti-aging effects.
This effect of resveratrol helps to fight against cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections. Resveratrol stimulates an increase in HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels which reduces the risk of heart diseases. Recent studies show that it also acts favorably on Alzheimer’s disease.
Red wine is believed to improve blood flow by restricting “sticky” blood cells that contribute to clots.
Red wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol, quercetin, catechins, epicatechin, and anthocyanins. These antioxidants act as anti-cancer agents by inducing cell death in cancerous tumor cells.
According to research, grapes also contain 18 different types of polyphenols, 11 of which are found in red wine. Most of these polyphenols act as antioxidants which help to slow down the aging process and prevent damage to healthy cells by inhibiting free radical activity. Additionally, grapes contain high levels of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Red wine contains compounds that maintain blood flow. It also helps lower bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels.
A research study carried out at Cornell University showed that red wine is more effective than white wine in increasing blood flow to the brain. The scientists observed increased activity on parts of the brain that had decreased blood flow after volunteers drank 75ml of either red or white wine for 40 days.
The best way to get the most benefits of drinking red wine is to drink it in moderation. Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine, but either one can be part of a healthy diet.
Drinking any alcoholic beverage puts you at risk for serious diseases like liver cirrhosis and cancer. That’s why experts recommend drinking red wine in moderation–one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
A 100-milliliter (ml) glass of red wine contains about:
• 80 calories
• .04 grams (g) of carbohydrate
• 1 g of protein
• negligible fat
The number of calories in wine varies based on the type of wine. Dry red table wine has about 120 calories per 5-ounce (oz) serving, while a sweeter dessert wine has 200 calories per 5-ounce (oz) serving.
A glass of red or white wine is equivalent to one serving. For women, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than one drink a day, and for men, it’s no more than two drinks a day. One drink is defined as:
• one 12-oz beer
• 5 oz of wine
• 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits (hard liquor)
The alcohol content of beer, wine, and distilled spirits differs. A 12-oz can or bottle of regular beer contains around 5 percent alcohol, while the same amount of non-light beer has about 6 percent alcohol.
Generally, 5 oz of wine contains 12 percent–20 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), while 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits (vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey) contains 40 percent ABV.
Wine has health benefits:
Best ways to drink wine:
Choose wines that are lower in tannins and sulfites, which can cause digestive problems. Tannic acid is found in red wine, while sulfites are found more often in white wines than red wines because they’re added during the winemaking process.
Choose wines that are lower in tannins and sulfites, which can cause digestive problems. Tannic acid is found in red wine, while sulfites are found more often in white wines than red wines because they’re added during the winemaking process.
Drink a glass of water with your alcoholic beverage to slow down intoxication and also your body’s absorption of alcohol.
Alcohol can affect your judgment, so drink in moderation.
Drink alcohol only with food to slow down intoxication and also your body’s absorption of alcohol.
The best ways to enjoy wine are:
• Serve it at room temperature to accentuate flavors.
• Make sure you have a designated driver or take public transportation home.
• Don’t fill your wine glass all the way to the top.
• Think of a standard serving as 5 ounces, or about a half-cup. That’s what you get in a typical bottle of wine.
Benefits of red wine for skin:
1. Prevents Wrinkles:
The main reason for wrinkles is the loss of elasticity in our skin cells which causes them to drop and damage the collagen fibers that prevent wrinkle formation. Resveratrol takes good care of your collagen fibers, preventing them from breaking or dropping due to aging. Also, resveratrol prevents the formation of wrinkle-causing enzymes. Thus, resveratrol helps you to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Tones up Skin:
Skin toners are used for brightening skin complexion but they cause irritation or dryness in some cases. Resveratrol can help you get rid of the disadvantages of using toner because it’s natural and contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Mix half a spoon of sugar along with two spoons of honey to make the mixture slightly thickens. Add a few drops of red wine to it and apply to your face. This will cleanse your skin, reduce redness and tonify it as well.
3. Prevents Skin Cancer:
Resveratrol has anti-cancerous properties and it’s very effective in skin cancer prevention. Resveratrol protects your skin from harmful solar radiation and reduces the risk of contracting skin cancer cells by 50%. Also, resveratrol activates the p53 gene. This is an anti-cancer gene that reduces the chances of contracting cancer to a great extent.
4. Prevents Eczema:
Resveratrol prevents the overproduction of skin cells that causes redness and itchiness in eczema patients. It works by reducing or stopping the enzymes responsible for producing too many skin cells on the surface of your skin.
5. Treats Skin Pigmentation:
Skin pigmentation is caused due to the production of melanin in your body, which makes your skin turn dark or darker than it actually is. Resveratrol inhibits the production of enzymes that are responsible for the formation of melanin so you can treat skin pigmentation with red wine as well.
6. Skin Tanning:
Resveratrol works like sunscreen because it reduces or prevents the formation of melanin in your skin to make you tan less. It protects your skin from UVB radiation and reduces the risk of contracting skin cancer cells by 50%.
7. Reduces Acne:
Acne can occur on any part of our body and it’s easy to treat compared to wrinkles. Resveratrol reduces acne by cleansing your skin pores so they become unclogged which prevents the formation of acne. It also kills the bacteria that causes acne or pimples.
8. Treats Burns:
Resveratrol is used as a topical treatment for the treatment of burns by reducing the chance of a burn becoming a scar. It also reduces the risk of contracting skin cancer cells by 50%.
9. Moisturizes Skin:
Resveratrol locks in moisture to prevent your skin from dehydrating and it works as an anti-aging agent too because it delays the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
10. Works as a Sunscreen:
Resveratrol protects your skin from harmful UVB rays and inhibits the production of melanin which prevents you from tanning or getting tanned to a great extent.