There are numerous ways to enjoy a glass of red wine – with dinner, while socialising with friends, or just unwinding after a long day. To add to that enjoyment, sipping on a glass of the good stuff may even carry some health benefits.
The question over whether red wine is actually healthy has been pondered by scientists and enthusiasts alike over the years. However, recent studies suggest there are several reasons to pour yourself a glass more often than not, within reason of course.
Of course, not drinking alcohol at all is the healthiest option. The World Health Organisation states that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health – however, red wine in particular appears to be beneficial in certain areas of our lives.
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It all comes down to the compounds and chemicals found in red wine, alcohol aside. It contains high levels of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help protect the heart. Polyphenols may also play a role in maintaining good gut health, according to research.
Here are all the ways a glass of red wine could be good for you, according to science:
Red wine could be good for your heart
There is some evidence that drinking a glass of red wine everyday could have heart benefits – but you must stick to just one glass. (Getty Images)
A recent study suggests that having a glass of red wine a night can halve the risk of heart attack and stroke compared to people who don’t drink at all.
The participants, whose average age was 69, were monitored over a five-year period, during which there were 685 cases of heart attacks, strokes or deaths linked to heart disease.
The researchers found that those who drank between three and seven glasses of wine per week were at 50% lower risk of developing a heart attack or stroke compared to those who didn’t drink.
Those who drank one to three glasses of wine per week had a 38% lower risk – however, any benefit was outweighed if more than one glass of wine was consumed in one sitting. The scientists said the study highlighted “the importance of moderate wine consumption within a healthy dietary pattern” and supported current guidelines around drinking alcohol in the UK.
According to the NHS, adults should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, which is equivalent to six small glasses of wine or six pints of beer.
Red wine could be good for your gut health
A little red wine can go a long way in diversifying your gut microbiome. (Getty Images)
A 2019 study found that red wine contributed towards a healthier gut microbiome significantly more than other types of alcoholic drinks, such as beer, cider and spirits.
Once again, scientists believe this could be due to the higher amount of polyphenols in red wine. But you don’t have to drink much to see the potential benefits and the scientists said drinking red wine “rarely, such as once every two weeks, seems to be enough to observe an effect”.
Dr Caroline Le Roy, first author of the study, said: “If you must choose one alcoholic drink today, red wine is the one to pick as it seems to potentially exert a beneficial effect on you and your gut microbes, which in turn may also help weight and risk of heart disease. However, it is still advised to consume alcohol with moderation.”
Red wine could help control blood sugar
Having red wine with your meal is better than having other types of alcohol. (Getty Images)
Moderate consumption of wine has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. A 2022 study involving nearly 312,000 current drinkers found that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol with drinks was associated with a 14% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and that this association was most common among those who drank wine instead of other types of alcohol.
However, the benefits were only seen when the alcohol was consumed alongside food.
Hao Ma, a biostatistical analyst at the Tulane University Obesity Research Centre in New Orleans and the study’s author, said: “The message from this study is that drinking moderate amounts of wine with meals may prevent type 2 diabetes if you do not have a health condition that may be negatively affected by moderate alcohol consumption and in consultation with your doctor.”
Red wine could lower cholesterol levels
Drinking red wine in moderation has the potential benefit of lowering cholesterol levels. (Getty Images)
We already know that red wine is a good source of polyphenols, but did you know that these antioxidants could help lower cholesterol levels?
Studies have found that the antioxidants in red wine may aid in protecting against cholesterol buildup and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol.
Lowering LDL cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease-related deaths, heart attacks, and strokes. High cholesterol levels can otherwise lead to atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls) and plaque buildup, which can result in narrowed arteries and blood clots.
Drinking red wine in moderation and with healthy meals can help you maintain good health. However, experts advise against starting to drink alcohol if you don’t already consume it, as it can cause a number of health problems when consumed in excess or worsen them.
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