GP: Evidence of the Health Benefits of Wine

Ever since the French Paradox gained sufficient scientific credibility, wine has enjoyed a renaissance in international winemaking and consumption. Now, most people will admit to thinking that red wine is good for our bodies, whether or not they choose to drink it. With so many purported health benefits, moderate wine consumption – this means one to two four ounce glasses a day – is on the up.

 

Remember that white and red wine don’t afford the same health benefits – all the goodness comes from the grapes’ skins, and white wine is made without this nutritionally heavy part of the fruit. So go red or go home!

 

Longevity

 

When compared with beer or spirit drinkers, winos have a 34% lower mortality rate, which means they live longer!

 

Resveratrol, in red wine, helps fight against the free radicals that damage the body’s cells (meaning fewer wrinkles and younger skin). It helps boost the healing process and reduces any bodily inflammation.

 

It also helps bolster bones; including your tooth enamel. Red wine will even stop bacteria forming in your mouth and causing gum disease. And with healthier bones, you’re less likely to develop osteoporosis, as you move into your senior years.

 

Happy Hearts

 

In fact, moderate wine drinkers with high blood pressure are 30% less likely to have a heart attack. Plus, the procyanidins in the tannins protect your cardiovascular system; meaning you’re less likely to suffer from heart disease.

 

Red wine increases the levels of good cholesterol in your blood system and protects against the bad. If you want to supercharge your body with procyanidins, get your red wines from Sardinia and the southwest of France, where the grapes have high levels of this antioxidant.

 

Because alcohol helps to thin the blood, and prevent it from clotting, your risk of having a stroke plummets by 50%. Generally, your body’s pipework will be in fantastic working order. So don’t feel guilty about that cheeky glass of A20 Albarino!

 

Healthy Eyes

 

Moderate drinkers are 32% less likely to get cataracts than non-drinkers. But you can boost this to 43% by choosing to consume red wine. We expect you to have a glass of vino in one hand and a carrot in the other.

 

Slows Down Mental Degeneration

 

Cognitive function declines at a considerably faster rate in non-drinkers than in moderate consumers of alcohol. Antioxidants in red wine help stop the build-up of protein plaque on brain cells, which leads to degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. This means that your memory stays top-notch as you get older, and you’re less likely to become dependent on your family for care.

 

Cancer Fighting

 

A sad fact: one in three of us will develop cancer during our lifetime. Fight back by incorporating red wine into your diet. Moderate consumption will cut your risk of developing colon cancer by 45%. Men who drink red wine regularly can halve their chances of developing prostate cancer. Unless your family has a history of breast cancer, red wine can improve your chances with most cancers.

 

 

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