A glass with dinner now and then might help your heart, blood flow, or digestion, thanks to natural stuff in the grapes called antioxidants. But it’s still alcohol, and drinking too much can harm your body instead of helping it. Red wine is naturally rich in polyphenols, which act as antioxidants.
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This precaution extends to those planning to get pregnant and to those who are breastfeeding. Research suggests that polyphenols may offer protective benefits against metastatic cancers—or, cancers that spread from one organ to another. Specific types of polyphenols, such as resveratrol, quercetin, and lignans, have estrogenic properties and may protect against hormonal and esophageal cancers.
Alcohol is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. “Excessive or long-term consumption of alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancer,” says Manaker. This includes oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, liver, colorectal and breast cancers. While red wine and white wine have similar nutrition profiles and alcohol contents, red wine has more antioxidants—the compounds responsible for most of its health benefits.
Why Red Wine Over White?
The following sections look at studies into red wine and particular types of cancer. However, studies published in 2017 and 2021 indicated that grape products and whole red grape juice could also reduce blood pressure. Though notable for its high antioxidant concentrations, red wine contains minimal amounts of other heart-healthy nutrients, including potassium and some B vitamins. However, the amounts of its polyphenols and micronutrients can vary depending on factors such as the type of grape(s), fermentation time, and wine aging process. Wine may also help improve your digestive health by improving your gut microbiome.
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When acetaldehyde builds up in the body, it can damage cells throughout the digestive system and beyond. When wine is cooked, most of the alcohol evaporates, but the flavour and polyphenols often remain. This makes it a great addition to meals like stews, sauces, and roasts without the risks of drinking alcohol. Most dry red wines are low in sugar and contain around 3–4 grams of carbohydrates per glass. However, sweet red wines or blends often have added sugar, which increases the carb count, so it’s best to check the label.
Cheers to…No Alcohol Day
The high polyphenolic content in teinturier grapes like Alicante Bouschet can be beneficial for heart health and may possess antioxidant properties. The fatty-fed mice were then given the equivalent of about one and a half cups of grapes per day. Overtime, “chubby mice that got the extracts accumulated less fat in their livers, and they had lower blood sugar, than those that consumed the high-fat diet alone. Ellagic acid proved to be a powerhouse in this experiment, too, lowering the high-fat-fed mice’s blood sugar to nearly the levels of the lean, normally fed mice,” says OSU biochemist Neil Shay. Drinking more than this could lead to health risks, including liver damage, addiction, and an increased chance of certain cancers.
- Always be sure to check your medication label and speak to your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol while on medication.
- Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine, as it is fermented with grape skins, while white wine is not.
- In general, risks exceed benefits until middle age, when cardiovascular disease begins to account for an increasingly large share of the burden of disease and death.
- But another study found links between drinking this amount and an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer.
- These people — about 8% of the world’s population — often experience facial flushing and a rapid heartbeat after just one drink.
Red wine might have some natural compounds that offer small health perks, but they don’t cancel out the real risks of alcohol. A clinical study published in the World Journal of Hepatology confirms that long-term alcohol use, even without binge drinking, can lead to serious liver disease. To get the most out of red wine’s potential benefits, how you serve it matters too. Using a quality wine decanter, like those in our Don Vassie Decanters, can enhance both the flavour and the health impact of your wine. Newer studies suggest that red wine might be good for your gut bacteria, too. Its polyphenols may encourage the growth of helpful microbes, which play a role in digestion and immune health.
- However, study authors warn that heavy drinkers experienced the opposite effect.
- The UK Government currently recommends that if you choose to drink alcohol and you drink most weeks, you should limit your consumption to no more than 14 units per week.
- Throughout this long-term observational study, people with diabetes who followed a Mediterranean diet and consumed a glass of red wine daily were found to have a lower cardiometabolic risk.
The Bottom Line: Balancing Risks and Benefits
Not only do they contribute to the bitter aspects of red wine’s flavor, but research also suggests that they can reverse skin damage caused by UV exposure. Many of the benefits attributed to red wine are due to its high levels and wide variety of antioxidants called polyphenols. Remember, too, that guidelines are based on total alcohol intake, not just the red wine you drink. But another study found links between drinking this amount and an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer. Furthermore, red wine’s impact on insulin sensitivity can help regulate appetite and reduce cravings for sugary foods, supporting healthier eating habits. A balanced gut microbiome is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
Does grape juice have the same benefits?
This, in turn, helps improve our overall are there health benefits to drinking red wine pros and cons, nutrition information, and more health and also aids in weight loss. So, it is believed that red wine and weight loss are connected, where red wine may help promote weight loss by increasing metabolism and burning fat. However, it is important to remember that these studies were done on rats and in test tubes. Also, keep in mind that too much alcohol can lead to weight gain, so it’s best to drink red wine in moderation. Red wine is made using grape skins, which are full of polyphenols like resveratrol and flavonoids, natural plant-based antioxidants. These compounds may help the body fight oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are tied to ageing and long-term health issues.
Diluting the cider with water helps to cut down on the amount of sugar you take in. It also can help prevent symptoms like diarrhea, which can come when you have too much sugar. As apple cider isn’t filtered, it has more polyphenols than apple juice. It does, however, contain less than fresh, whole apples, which also contain a significant amount of fiber. You often hear people referring to apple cider as apple juice and vice versa.
Red Wine vs. White Wine
Yes, polyphenols in full-bodied, rich red wines show promise for improved health, but at the same time excessive amounts of alcohol can have an adverse effect. Let’s take a look at all of the major claims relating to red wine health benefits. While moderate red wine consumption can support mental health, excessive alcohol intake has been linked to an increased risk of depression.