If you’re into drinking wine, you’ve probably already heard a few rumors about just how good for you it really is. But how much of that is true? What are the real health benefits of drinking wine, and are there some you didn’t even know about? In this article, we’re going to help you learn everything you need to know about wine and your health. Remember that all of the health benefits listed here are for those who drink wine in moderation—too much of a good thing can lead to more health trouble in the long run. Always talk to your doctor before trying wine for health purposes.
- Wine can be good for your bones.
Like beer, red wine contains silicon, which is something our bones need to stay strong and healthy. The more silicon you ingest, the denser your bones will become, which improves their health and strength over time too. A little bit of red wine every day is a sure way to help reduce your risk of osteoporosis, and it may even help you slow the progression of this disease if you’ve already been diagnosed with it. Don’t rely on wine alone, though—be sure to follow your doctor’s orders if you’re trying to prevent or treat bone issues. - Wine can help your immune system.
If you’re the type of person who has a naturally weak immune system, you might be able to help it out a little bit by drinking a half a glass of red wine a day. Consuming red wine in small amounts is a good way to give your body a vitamin boost that can help you ward off sickness, especially if you’re someone who catches just about everything. However, if you have a medical reason for your weakened immune system, you may need to stay away from wine instead. And remember that drinking too much can actually make you more prone to catching illnesses, so tread carefully. - Wine contains antioxidants.
These days, everyone is concerned with consuming foods that contain antioxidants—and we should be! Antioxidants can help your body fight off cancer and may prevent cancer altogether in some instances. If you’re concerned with keeping your body healthy overall, be sure to drink white wine. While red wine tends to be the best bet for a wide variety of other health benefits, white wine is the most antioxidant-packed of the varieties out there. All types of wine do contain some antioxidants, however, so you’re still doing good for your body by drinking reds if you prefer them. - Wine reduces your risk of both heart attack and stroke.
This is one of the benefits many people already know about wine, but it bears repeating anyway: wine is great for your heart and can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Red wine contains substances that prevent heart disease naturally by improving your blood flow as well as the condition of your blood vessels. And because of this, too, your body will be less likely to develop blood clots. Since blood clots lead to stroke, red wine will also help you prevent the risk of stroke overall. Just remember to drink a half a glass to a glass a day and don’t overdo it, or you may end up giving yourself more of a risk for these issues instead. - Wine can help you reduce the risk of diabetes.
If you’re already at risk for type 2 diabetes, you may be able to improve your chances at avoiding it by drinking a glass of wine every day. One of the substances found in wine—resveratrol, which we’ll discuss more in a later point—is known to help improve insulin sensitivity. Basically, this means your body will be able to make more insulin on its own and may not end up developing type 2 diabetes. Of course, you’ll need to pair this with other health improvements in your life for best results, but wine is sure to help out along the way. - Wine can help lower your cholesterol.
There are a lot of great, healthy foods out there that can help you naturally lower your cholesterol before it gets out of hand, and wine is one of them. Red wine is especially good for lowering cholesterol, so stick to the reds if you’re looking to improve this particular health issue. Wine can help you increase the good type of cholesterol in your body while at the same time cutting back on the bad type, so it’s a win-win for you. Just make sure you don’t overdo it, or you may negate those benefits quickly. A glass a day is plenty. - Wine is good for your brain.
If you’ve ever had too much wine at one time, chances are good you may be questioning this one. But the key here—as with all of these health benefits—is to not overdo it with your wine. Having a glass of wine a day will help your brain function better and stay healthier for longer, too. This is especially true of red wine, but all types of wine will help your brain at least a little bit. Some studies have shown that a glass of wine a day even helps slow or prevent diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. And if you’re worried about developing dementia as you age, you may be able to fight back against this concern by drinking wine every day, too. - Wine can help you live longer.
Wine contains many things that are very good for your body, and one of those things is a substance called resveratrol. Resveratrol works in your body to reduce signs of aging and, in general, make you look younger. When consumed, this substance makes your body produce a necessary protein that cuts back on physical signs of aging and also helps your body function better for longer, too. All in all, a glass of wine a day may be the key to long life and a youthful experience, too.
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