The Surprising Health Benefits of Red Wine
Wine is loaded with compounds that are good for the body, as long as it is consumed in moderation. While many people joke (or maybe not) about stocking up on liquor for a long-term SHTF situation, a more prudent course of action may be to load up on wine instead. Let’s take a look at some of the more widely-known benefits associated with a drink from the fruit of the vine. Keep in mind that the bulk of research points to red wines in terms of the medicinal benefits they provide.
Good for Cardiovascular Health
One glass of red wine per day can have a cumulative effect on helping the body to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Regular wine consumption is linked to a significant rise in good cholesterol while not increasing levels of the bad stuff. Scientists have also linked certain compounds in red wine to contributing to the health of blood vessels and reductions in stroke. Some also suggest that wine can also lower the risk of heart attacks.
Diabetes
Red wine contains something called polyphenols, and these compounds help to regulate blood sugar at the cellular level. Polyphenols also help to regulate and metabolize fat in cells as well. These compounds are also found in medication that helps to control blood sugar and manage diabetes. However, it is thought that a glass of red wine contains a similar amount that is produced by medication, just without the side-effects.
Longevity
There is an established relationship with living longer and a glass of wine per day. While this may not be a guarantee that all of us will make it into our hundreds, wine does increase our dietary intake of “plant-based” foods. There is also a link between villagers in France who drink certain varieties of wine and living longer. Just remember that longevity is probably promoted by a host of different factors, and wine just helps to enhance healthy living.
Better Memory
Wine is known to boost memory and promote concentration. Studies show that people were able to remember information, form words and learn more than normal within about 30 minutes of ingesting another compound in red wine, reserveatrol. Wine is also known to boost moods and stave off bouts of depression, and it’s not necessarily the alcohol that does the trick, although it probably helps too.
Lower Liver Disease and Cancer Risk
There is a link between drinking red wine and a reduction in what is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A glass of wine, as shown in some research, can reduce this occurrence by more than half when compared to those who don’t drink at all. Furthermore, those who drink beer were more than twice as likely to contract the disease.
There are also studies that drinking red wine helps to reduce the occurrence of a number of cancers. These includes breast, colon and prostate cancer. In fact, some research suggests that men who drink about seven glasses of wine per week are less than half as likely to develop prostate cancer. A compound in red wine is also linked to inhibiting the growth of cells that cause breast cancer.
Eyesight and Healthy Teeth
Red wine is also linked to better eye health and the ability of the eye to resist degeneration, especially when it’s related to aging. Furthermore, wine is linked to killing bacteria that erode enamel and cause gum disease.
These are just a few examples of a very long list of health benefits associated with red wine. While people have been touting the benefits of wine for thousands of years, research is finally offering proof that these claims may be true. Just remember that these benefits center on moderate consumption, or a glass per day, and those who have chronic health problems should talk with their doctor before taking wine for medicinal purposes. However, these benefits alone may suggest that it may be worth your while to start drinking a glass a day now while also building up a nice stockpile for later if and when the SHTF.
