Red Wine: Good for the Heart, Mind and Body

More than ten years of studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption can help improve cardiovascular health.  As if that wasn’t reason enough to enjoy a glass of red once in awhile, recent research has shown that red wine seems to provide an even wider variety of health benefits. Read on for more information about how it works.

Heart-Healthy Antioxidants

Red wine contains polyphenols, antioxidant-rich compounds that the Mayo Clinic says may aid in promoting overall health and well-being. Red wine also contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as resveratrol, a health-boosting substance that comes from the skin of the grapes used to make the wine.

Benefits of a 5-Ounce Glass of Red Wine

• Increases “good” cholesterol levels (HDL)
• Decreases “bad” cholesterol levels (LDL)
• Reduces injury to blood vessels and arteries
• Helps minimize inflammation in the body
• Reduces risk of coronary heart disease
• Prevents blood clots

Better Body Functioning

Antioxidants in red wine affect more than just heart health. Oxidants, also called “free radicals,” travel throughout the body on a daily basis and can interrupt normal cellular function if they build up. According to an article in Dermatology and Therapy published by dermatologists at the University of California, antioxidants in polyphenols fight the oxidants raging through the body, breaking up buildups and helping the body to go back to normal functioning.

More Radiant Skin

Believe it or not, red wine is now being praised for its possible role in clearing up acne, according to studies performed by dermatologists at UCLA. Antioxidants in resveratrol, which was added into anti-acne solutions, seemed to keep acne-causing bacteria from growing back.

Improved Neurological Function

According to an article by the Yale-New Haven Hospital, studies performed at the University of California observed a possible link between resveratrol and a decrease in tumor cell formation in some cancers.  The same study showed that the substance might help form nerve cells, which could possibly help to treat neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

Red Wine Helps Exercise

In a recent study published in the May edition of the Journal of Physiology, the resveratrol found in red wine might “enhance exercise training and performance” by improving the benefits of moderate exercise. While this doesn’t mean that it is time to give up gym memberships, it does mean that a glass of wine post-workout might help with recovery and improve the effects of moderate exercise performed by those who are physically incapable of working out.