There are thousands of studies that have been done that prove red wine, when consumed in moderation,has a positive effect on your heart health, cognitive function improvement, reduction of oxidative stress, and can even normalize blood sugar levels. Red wine provides powerful antioxidants that heal the body at a cellular level, like quercetin and resveratrol. That is why the benefits of red wine are so plentiful when you consume it in moderation.
Top 6 Benefits of Red Wine
1. Boosts Heart Health
Active compounds in red wine, including polyphenols, resveratrol and quercetin, have cardiovascular protective properties. Numerous studies show that drinking moderate amounts of red wine has beneficial effects on many different aspects related cardiovascular disease.
The antioxidant nutrients in red wine slow down the progression of atherosclerosis, a type of arteriosclerosis that occurs when there’s buildup of fats, cholesterol and plaque in the artery walls.
2. Improves Cholesterol
Wine consumption is associated with an increase in HDL cholesterol. It has also been shown that regular consumption of red wine reduced the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
3. Fights Free Radical Damage
The accumulation of free radicals plays a major role in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. The antioxidants in red wine act as scavengers that prevent and repair the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants enhance the body’s immune defenses and lower the risk of developing a number of serious health conditions.
4. Helps Manage Diabetes
It has been found that red wine may slow the passage of glucose through the small intestine and eventually into the bloodstream, therefore, helping prevent the spike in blood sugar levels experienced by patients with type 2 diabetes. This proves red wine can actually be part of a diabetic diet plan when consumed in moderation.
5. Fights Obesity and Weight Gain
Red wine may help to fight obesity, due to a compound found in grapes and other fruits (like blueberries and passionfruit) called piceatannol, which has a similar chemical structure to resveratrol. According to researchers, piceatannol blocks an immature fat cell’s ability to develop and grow. It’s also been found to alter the timing of gene expressions, gene functions and insulin functions during the fat cell’s metabolic process.
When piceatannol is present, there’s a complete inhibition of the process of cell development. Piceatannol is so effective at fighting obesity and weight gain because it’s able to destroy fat cells early in the process of cell development, thereby preventing fat cell accumulation and, later on, body mass gain. It does this by binding to insulin receptors found in fat cells and blocking insulin’s ability to control cell cycles. It also blocks insulin’s activity to activate genes that are important in the later stages of fat formation.
6. May Help Prevent Alzheimers’s Disease
Research indicates that people who eat a diet consisting of red wine, vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish and olive oil, have a 28 percent lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 48 percent lower risk of progressing from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.
There’s even more research on the red wine specifically as a preventive measure and natural treatment for Alzheimer’s. According to research published in Frontiers in Aging and Neuroscience, resveratrol may control the main features of Alzheimer’s disease and slow dementia progression. This is due to resveratrol’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and work as a neuroprotectant.
Ingredients that Make Red Wine Beneficial
1. Quercetin
Quercetin, one of the most important flavonoids present in red wine, also promotes heart health by regulating blood pressure levels, reducing inflammation, and preventing oxidative stress (an imbalance between the production of free radicals and our antioxidant defenses). Bioflavonoids are a large family of polyphenolic compounds that carry out key functions in plants, such as fighting environmental stresses and modulating cell growth. Quercetin is one of the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet, and therefore, it plays an important role in fighting free radical damage, the effects of aging and inflammation.
Research shows that quercetin can help to manage a number of inflammatory health conditions, including:
- heart disease
- infections
- chronic fatigue
- autoimmune disorders
- arthritis
- allergies
- blood vessel problems
- cognitive impairment
- eye-related disorders
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- skin disorders
- cancer
- stomach ulcers
- atherosclerosis
- diabetes
- gout
The presence of quercetin is at least partly responsible for the benefits of red wine. Other flavonoids found in red wine are procyanidins, which are also present in high amounts in chocolate and apples. Research shows that procyanidins have potent antioxidant activity and the ability to boost immune function.
2. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is another polyphenic bioflavonoid antioxidant in red wine. It’s classified as a phytoestrogen because it interacts with estrogen receptors in a positive way. It’s one of the most potent polyphenols and strongest protectors against free radical damage, cognitive decline, obesity and cardiovascular disease. There’s also plenty of evidence supporting the beneficial role of resveratrol, which protects the heart cells from tissue damage after a stroke, inhibits platelet buildup, and decreases triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation. Resveratrol also relaxes the coronary arteries.
Red wine is probably the best known source of resveratrol due to the fermentation process that turns grape juice to alcohol. When red wine is produced, grape seeds and skins ferment in the grape’s juices, which has a positive effect on the levels and availability of resveratrol.
People use resveratrol for a number of anti-aging and healing benefits, and research suggests that it can boost your health in the following ways:
- fight oxidative stress
- support cellular and tissue health
- protect against cancer
- promote circulation
- protect cognitive health
- prevent premature aging
- support healthy digestion
- improve energy and endurance
- protect against diabetes
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