Top 8 Reasons Why Wine Is Good For You

Lisa Franchi May 15, 2015

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It’s Friday – the last day for just another workweek. You are so excited to go home (or if you work from home, to finally take a break from your computer). You can’t wait to throw yourself into the couch, pop open the cork, and watch the sparkling wine fall its way into your glass. But you’re quite not sure if you’re doing something that is good for you. You made a promise to yourself that you will be healthier. You’ve been religiously attending the gym, watching your food intake, and really opting for healthy meals and drinks. Should sipping some wine negate all the positive benefits of your healthy routines?

Well, of course, over-indulging is not good – you know that. What about a few times per week?

The good news is that drinking wine in the right amount just a few times per week is really good for your health. You probably heard that it may even promote heart health. But the benefits don’t just end there. There are some more.

It helps cut your risk of stroke.

In The Copenhagen City Heart Study, moderate intake of wine has been associated with a lower risk for stroke, compared to no wine intake. The same benefits were not seen in beer or hard alcohol consumption.

It offers protection against diabetes.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry found that white wine may provide the same cardio-protective qualities as red wine. Researchers attribute the benefits to resveratrol – which improves sensitivity to insulin, which is a major factor for Type 2 diabetes risk.

It may lower bad cholesterol.

According to the American Heart Association, moderate consumption of any type of alcohol can increase your HDL, or good cholesterol, by about 12%. Resveratrol is said to increase the amount of good cholesterol in the body, and decrease the bad.

It helps you fight flu.

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology which looked at the drinking habits of over 4,000 people found that those who drank mostly wine were less likely to come down with a cold than people who didn’t drink at all or people who drank beer or spirits. The association was stronger in red wine and according to the researchers, it’s because of the antioxidants they contain. These antioxidants help fight inflammation in the body and improve the immune system.

It helps lower cancer risk.

Moderate consumption of red wine is linked to reduced risks of breast and colon cancer. It has also been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. A study, published in Harvard Men’s Health Watch, found that men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week have a 52% less chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those who don’t drink wine.

It protects your pearly whites.

Red wine contains five of the common oral plaque-causing bacteria, and thus could be effective in promoting oral health, according to a study by the University of Zürich.

It may improve your skin.

Research published in the Dermatology and Therapy found that resveratrol was able to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria longer than the common acne treatment.

It promotes healthy brain.

Resveratrol has been shown to promote short-term memory. Chinese researchers found that participants taking resveratrol had a significant increase in cognitive performance, particularly in the retention of words and showed faster performance in the portion of the brain associated with the formation of new memories, learning, and emotions.

How much wine is enough?

It is important to stick to the recommended safe limits of alcohol intake to ensure that you just get the benefits, not the negative consequences of drinking wine. According to health guidelines, men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Meanwhile, women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.