By: Heidi Wagenbach
My grandma has been the center of jokes for years with her indulgence of wine every day around 4PM. Dad and I would always tease her about how she would want to get home to have a glass, eat some cheese, and take a nap. (In reality, now that I look back, that’s honestly a goal for retirement). But, she just turned 90 this past September, so she ought to be doing something right. Were her glasses of red wine a contribution to her health, sharp wit, and spunk even as she’s nearing a century old? Probably. Let’s find out.
Short But Sweet History
Medieval monasteries believed monks lived longer from drinking red wine. “The French Paradox” refers to the phrase regarding this population in Europe who have low rates of heart disease, despite consuming a lot of high-fat-and-cholesterol foods. Experts believe that red wine was the dietary protector of the French from the harmful effects of these nutrients (where in reality, they’re healthier because they eat more whole, nutritional foods and live active lifestyles).
Some Basic Info
Red wine is high in antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating. A two-week study in 40 adults found that consuming 13.5 oz (or 400 ml) of red wine daily increased antioxidant status. It has a decent amount of resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of grapes, which reduces oxidative stress, a factor linked to cancer and heart disease. Eating whole grapes and berries are (obviously) a better source because there are health risks in drinking wine. In order to feel an effect of resveratrol, you would have to drink bottles of this stuff, which will do more harm than good. But when shopping for alcohol, red wine is a better option than the other varieties (i.e. red wine has 10 times more resveratrol than white wine).
Other Interesting Facts
Red wine could prevent cavities. In 2014, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry discovered that it killed more cavity-causing bacteria than water spiked with alcohol. Red wine can also keep your allergies at bay. Even though more research is needed, 80 studies showed that flavonoids could reduce symptoms of asthma and such. While drinking during pregnancy is NOT recommended, red wine could boost your chances of conceiving. A study was conducted at Washington University, and they found that high amounts of resveratrol preserves cells and increases the number of eggs. Nonetheless, the CDC (Centers for Disease and Prevention) advise that women who are trying to have a baby should stop drinking alcohol to prevent the possibility of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
How Drinking A Glass Or Two Helps Your Body
Cardiovascular Health
A 2019 review showed that there is a lower risk of coronary heart disease (which is the leading cause of death in the US) from drinking wine, however the American Heart Association (AHA) stated that other factors like your diet and lifestyle affect your health as well. Follow the guidelines to ensure that you get the positive outcomes from drinking and not the negatives. (1 glass of wine a day for females; 2 glasses of wine for males; 1 glass = 5 oz, with a 12% alcohol by volume).
Gut Health & Type 2 Diabetes
In 2018, a study showed that the polyphenols from red wine improve gut microbiota. These may act as prebiotics, or in other words, boost healthy bacteria. A 2015 experiment showed that having a glass of wine once a day decreases cardiometabolic risk with people who suffer from type 2 diabetes. Ethanol in wine plays a crucial role in metabolizing glucose, but more research is needed to confirm this claim.
Blood Pressure
The AHA stated that resveratrol may reduce blood pressure and increase levels of good cholesterol. Compounds called procyanidins help keep blood vessels healthy, however non-alcoholic red wine can have the same results. Drinking too much can lead to high blood pressure or an irregular heart rate.
Brain Damage & Dementia
Red wine can help protect against secondary brain damage after a stroke or central nervous system injury. (This is because the ingredients have positive effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death. For the same reason, vision loss can be prevented). In 2018, researchers concluded there was an increased risk of memory loss in people who didn’t drink wine, which has neuroprotective effects.
Depression & Living Longer
An examination in 2013 of 5,000 people showed that over 7 years, the people who drank between 2-7 glasses of wine each week had lower levels of depression. (Contrastingly, drinking more leads to a more likely risk of depression). In the end, drinking red wine in moderation can lead to a longer life expectancy than occasional and heavy drinkers.
The Negatives
Drinking too much can lead to alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, and weight gain. (On the flip side, red wine in moderation can help you drop pounds. The International Journal of Obesity found that the compounds in red wine can convert “white fat” into “beige fat,” which can be burned off easier). Just as not drinking enough, too much leads to an increased risk of death and disease. An average of 87,798 people in the US die to excessive alcohol consumption; that equates to 1 in 10 deaths between the ages of 20-64. The National Cancer Institute states there is a strong correlation between too much consumption and possibly developing a multitude of different cancers (whether that be in the throat, breast, or liver). Alcohol damages bodily tissues, therefore drinking wine in excess is harmful and outweighs the above benefits.
Other Symptoms
Some people feel sick after drinking red wine (no, I’m not talking about a hangover). Their symptoms could range from a pounding headache to more allergy-related effects, like itchiness, coughing, or digestive issues. Red wine contains congeners, and these give red wine the recognizable flavor profile, but there is a certain type (known as tannins) which make people who are already vulnerable to migraines get them after consumption. Sulfites, known to be added to red wine specifically in the US, are to blame. If you get a rash or abdominal pain, then histamine is at fault. There are ways to prevent this, either by avoiding red wine, monitoring your consumption, and drinking white/organic/dry wine… or not at all.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you should feel free to drink, as long as you balance your diet and moderate how much alcohol you have per day. Experts recommend having at least 1-2 alcohol free days per week. While there are health benefits, the risks are there, seeing that red wine is indeed still a liquor. Be sure to eat a good diet that includes a bunch of varieties of vegetables and fruits, but don’t feel guilty if you have a glass every now and then. My grandma is tangible proof that it does seem to have some good qualities to it.
Sources:
Can a Glass of Wine Benefit Your Health?
5 Health Benefits of Red, Red Wine – In Case You Need An(other) Excuse
7 Surprising Health Benefits of Red Wine
