Among the many drink choices the world has to offer, wine has become one that represents class, elegance, and a developed palette. Some wines may be smooth and go down like a juice with a kick, and others may have rich flavors that have people talking about them for hours straight. Regardless of the type of wine, like many other drinks, alcoholic and non, it’s not always easy to tell if they are really good for your body! Sure, we know milk, juices, and water are healthy to drink, but what about wine? Many people claim that wine is great at preventing some cancers and promoting heart health, while others say it’s all a hoax. I’ll go over what people are saying about wine and let you make the decision yourself.
The Good Side to Wine
Specifically in red wine, this drink can have health benefits when consumed in moderation, as in 1-or-2 drinks at a time, and not every day. Red wine contains something called polyphenols, antioxidants that are believed to protect the linings of the blood vessels in your heart. One type of polyphenol, resveratrol, is known to reduce bad cholesterols and prevent blood clots. Resveratrol can reduce inflammation and blood clotting, which are both good signs of heart health. Studies have shown that those who drink red wine tend to be at a lower risk for heart disease, and generally have better heart health. Some studies have also attributed red wine to helping prevent colon cancer, contain some anti-aging properties, and preventing various other diseases and ailments.
The Not-So Good Side
Even though red wine does have some benefits, you’re still consuming alcohol and that’s never really recommended. It’s easy to drink a lot of wine considering how easy it is to drink, compared to heavier liquors, so be aware of how wine compares to other drinks. 5 ounces of wine has as much alcohol as a 12 ounce beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor like vodka. Wine can also be heavy on calories — even equivalent to a small dessert after dinner, so in addition to getting too much alcohol easily you can rack up the calories fast too. As much as people may forget it, drinks do have quite a few calories in them, and it’s even easier to forget it once your judgment is already inhibited. I don’t think I even need to go into detail about the dangers of drinking in general! Drinking any amount can be dangerous to your body, your mind, and those around you.
Just Remember…
Like so many other things, wine is fine in moderation. Obviously drinking too much wine, whether in bulk or frequent amounts, can be dangerous, but it does have benefits in small amounts. Please be responsible when drinking any alcohol and don’t go overboard. Keep wine limited to 1 or 2 glasses a day, pending your personal health and various factors, and never drink and drive. Almost anything in bulk amounts can be harmful, and although drinking alcohol is never recommended, if you are going to drink be smart about it and plan ahead. There are of course many alternatives to improving heart health aside from drinking wine, and wine should never be consumed solely for its health benefits.