Red wine is a hot-button issue when it comes to your health. While many studies have celebrated the health benefits of drinking red wine, other studies have shown that there are no such benefits. Here, we present a list of the top 13 documented health benefits of red wine. Grab a glass and check it out for yourself below!
Number Thirteen: It Prevents Cancer
Drinking red vino has been shown to decrease women’s risk of developing breast cancer. Another compound in red wine, quercetin, has been associated with a reduced risk of developing lung cancer as well.
Number Twelve: It Aids in Digestion
Red wine has been used to help improve digestion as far back as 400 B.C. Hippocrates himself – the father of medicine – often prescribed the stuff to help with digestion!
Number Eleven: It Prevents Cavities
Red vino has been shown to have antibacterial properties, and this applies to drinking it as well. In 2007, scientists showed that drinking the stuff blocks the growth of Streptococcus – one of the most common cavity-causing bacteria.
Number Ten: It Improves Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increases a person’s risk of getting heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. Drinking red vino has been shown to decrease the risk factors associated with the syndrome. Impressive!
Number Nine: You’ll Live Longer if You Drink Red Wine
It’s true! To a certain extent, drinking red wine in moderation can help you extend your lifespan. However, the key is to drink it in moderation and not overdo it.
Number Eight: Red Wine Improves Quality of Sleep
Instead of that glass of midnight milk, try a glass of the red stuff instead! The alcohol and other components in red wine are natural relaxants and will help your brain slow down so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Number Seven: Resveratrol Prevents Blood Clots
Resveratrol, one of the most talked-about compounds found in red vino, has been proven to decrease a person’s risk of developing blood clots. There are many other benefits of consuming resveratrol, which we’ll cover in our next points.
Number Six: It Lowers Your Risk of Obesity and Diabetes
Instead of having dessert, have a glass of the red stuff. Drinking red wine helps to keep sugar levels balanced and can actually lower your risk of developing obesity and diabetes. One study found that mice who were given resveratrol had significantly lower instances of obesity and diabetes than mice who were not given resveratrol.
Number Five: It Prevents Infection
This is a unique benefit, but bear with us. If you suffer an injury and don’t have any disinfectant, just use some red wine! The antibacterial properties in it will help protect your injury from future infection until you can see a medical professional.
Number Four: It Improves Cholesterol Levels
One study found that drinking the red stuff increases levels of HDL cholesterol, which is largely thought of as the “good” cholesterol. The study looked at people with well-controlled type-2 diabetes who drank one glass of red wine with dinner every night over a period of two years.
Number Three: It Will Make Your Skin Glow
The antioxidants in red vino won’t just make you feel good – they’ll make your skin glow! The antioxidants help slow the aging process by decreasing instances of free radicals (which can promote aging) in your body.
Number Two: It Protects Your Heart
Resveratrol (mentioned above) is pretty magical, and this is proof of that. Resveratrol has been proven to protect the lining of the blood vessels in your heart. With stronger blood vessels, you’ll have a stronger heart, too.
Number One: It’s the Ultimate Cold Cure
Scientists have been searching for the ultimate cold cure for decades, but little did they know it’s been sitting right in front of them the whole time! One report found that people who drank red wine had 44 percent fewer colds than people who didn’t. Cheers!