Do you enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a long day? You're not alone. Luckily, both red and white wine are loaded with health benefits like improving heart health and even preventing cancer.
So, sit back, grab a glass of your favorite wine, and read even more reasons to continue to enjoy:
1) Wine Protects Against Neural Disease
Wine contains antioxidants, which protect the brain against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Yale-New Haven Hospital doctors recommend that men drink between two and three servings of wine and women drink one serving daily to see these benefits. But, remember: one serving of wine is four ounces, much less than what the average person is used to pouring him or herself.
2) Wine Prevents Heart Disease
It is fairly well-known that red wine improves cardiovascular health, but did you know that white wine does too? A study by the University of Barcelona found that red wine benefits the heart more than white wine, but the same benefits were still found in white wine.
So, if you want to improve your heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease, it’s best to stick with red wine!
3) Wine Prevents Cancer
Wine contains resveratrol, a naturally occurring substance that researchers say has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. This is specifically seen regarding brain cells. Multiple studies have shown that resveratrol fights free radicals in the brain and can even prevent brain damage.
One study conducted by the Canadian Department of Health Sciences found that moderate consumption of red wine can even inhibit lung cancer growth. White wine also had this effect on lung cancer cells, but to a lesser degree than red wine. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are on chemo or radiation therapy.
4) Wine Is Relaxing
That relaxed feeling you get after having a glass of wine isn’t just because of the alcohol content. The same resveratrol that has anti-carcinogenic properties also relaxes the muscles.
If you’re just looking to rewind after a long day, a glass of wine is a great way to do it! However, alcoholic beverages should not be consumed in addition to prescription muscle relaxants.
If you were looking for reasons to indulge in a nightly glass of wine, these health benefits should cover your bases. Wine is a tasty way to improve cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, and relax.
The best part is that there are plenty of types of wine to choose from! Whether you prefer Riesling or Pinot Noir, your favorite wine will give you great health benefits.
Sources:
Sara Arranz, Chiva-Blanch, Gemma, Valderas-Martínez, Palmira, Medina-Remón,
Alex, Lamuela-Raventós Rosa M., Estruch Ramón. Department of Internal
Medicine, Hospital Clínic, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i
Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain. 10 July 2012. Web.
23 Feb 2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407993
Barron CC, Moore J, Tsakiridis T, Pickering G, Tsiani E. Inhibition of human lung
cancer cell proliferation and survival by wine. Department of Health Sciences,
Brock University, St, Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada. Web. 23 Feb 2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24456610
Basli A, Soulet S, Chaher N, et al. Wine polyphenols: potential agents in
neuroprotection. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2012;2012:14
pages.805762. 20 April 2012. Web. 23 February 2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3399511
Novakovic A, Gojkovic-Bukarica L, Peric M, Nezic D, Djukanovic B, Markovic-
Lipkovski J, Heinle H. The mechanism of endothelium-independent relaxation
induced by the wine polyphenol resveratrol in human internal mammary
artery. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of
Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. Web. 23 Feb 2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16682785
Yale-New Haven Hospital. Web. 23 Feb 2014.
http://www.ynhh.org/about-us/red_wine.aspx
Reviewed March 4, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith