Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

If you consume in moderation, there are many benefits of drinking red wine.

Red wine has many health benefits.

When it comes to the health benefits of drinking red wine, it really is all about the grapes. Grapes are full of nutrients and vitamins that benefit the body in a number of ways, such as:

• Vitamin B6 – This vitamin helps to prevent arterial plaque build up
• Vitamin C – Helps to protect the immune system
• Manganese – Aids the body in converting fat into energy
• Potassium – An electrolyte that helps to regulate blood pressure

Red wine is also high in polyphenolic flavonoids, most often referred to as antioxidants, which have a huge number of health benefits.

Red wine has more health benefits than white simply due to the fact that the grape skins are left on during the fermentation process. The skins and seeds of grapes actually have the most nutritional value. Since the skins are removed during the white wine making process, white wine does not have as strong of health benefits as red. So, what exactly are the benefits of drinking a glass or two of wine a day? Keep reading, you might be surprised.

Red wine benefits the heart in many different ways. The polyphenolic flavonoids in red wine are what benefit the heart the most.

Various studies have shown the following benefits red wine has on the body:

• Raises HDL – This is what's considered the "good" cholesterol in your body.
• Lowers LDL – Often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol in the body.
• Helps to prevent blood clots
• Helps to prevent plaque build up – Working along with vitamin B6, the antioxidant properties of the flavonoids help to prevent plaque build up on the arterial walls.

Due to antioxidants like reseveratrol, catechin and gallic acid, studies have shown that red wine has anti-viral properties and even help to prevent certain forms of cancer tumor growth. The science behind this is relatively simple. The antioxidants, especially reseveratrol, is contained in plants and is basically a plants defense system against disease.

These antioxidants, especially resveratrol, fight the free radicals that cause cell damage and cancerous tumor growth. More research is currently being conducted on the cancer fighting properties of the antioxidants contained in red wine.

Not only does red wine benefit the heart and cardiovascular system, it also benefits the brain. The antioxidants in wine help to prevent plaque build up on the arteries in the brain, which is one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Studies have shown that consuming one glass of red wine for women and no more than two glasses of red wine a day, helped to reduce the risk of developing both dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The anti-oxidant caffeic acid found in wine has been shown to help reduce glucose levels in the blood. Caffeic acid also helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a huge benefit to those suffering from inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. In preliminary studies, this acid has also shown inhibit and reduce the damage caused by colitis.

Though there are plenty of benefits to drinking a glass of two of red wine a day, doctors and scientists alike warn people that the key to receiving the benefits is moderation. Once you go over the recommended one or two glasses, the negative effects of alcohol begin to overcome the positive effects of the wine. These risks include, but are definitely not limited to:

• Liver damage – Over time, alcohol severely damages the liver and can lead to many other conditions and diseases.
• Alcohol addiction – Consider your risk factors before you begin drinking a glass of wine or two a day. The risks may outweigh the benefits. If that's the case for you, you can usually receive the same benefits of drinking red wine by drinking the non-alcoholic version.
• Intoxication – Consuming alcohol faster than your body can process it leads to becoming intoxicated, which, at its simplest is basically, poisoning the body.

So, as always, imbibe on your favorite glass of red wine in moderation.

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