If you like to unwind with a couple glasses of red wine after a long day, or week, don’t stop now! While there has been some inconclusive research on red wine and your health, there has also been positive attributes to enjoying your daily dose of leisure!
1. PROMOTES A HEALTHY HEART
I bet you didn’t think that that glass of wine with dinner was doing more than just pairing well with your food! Studies have shown that “procyanidins”, which are compounds found in tannins within red wine, help with cardiovascular health. There are higher traces of this compound found in wines particularly grown in areas of southwestern France and Sardinia. These beautiful wine-producing regions are also known for the increased longevity in their populations. Beautiful people AND wine? Sounds too good to be true.
2. IMPROVES MEMORY
Over a 30 minute period – resveratrol was proven to improve short-term memory. Specifically, faster performance in the hippocampus, which is the portion of the brain associated with the formation of new memories, learning, and emotions. There was also an increased retention of words amongst those that had consumed resveratrol.
3. HELPS DENTAL HEALTH
You may or may not know, that there are certain antioxidants in red wine called – polyphenols. Recent research has proven that these certain antioxidants slow bacterial growth in the mouth and potentially help prevent cavities!
4. CAN CUT RISKS OF CERTAIN CANCERS
So, what is resveratrol? It is sold over-the-counter as a nutritional supplement but more relevantly, it’s a protein that is also located in the skin of grapes. It has been proven to helps in starving cancer cells by hindering the action of a key protein that fuels them.
5. HELPS FEND OFF COLDS
Antioxidants for the win again! Studies found that those who drank more than 14 glasses of red wine per week were actually 40% less likely to acquire the common cold than those who consume regular servings of beer or spirits.
So – there you have it! Little did you know that your glass of red wine wasn’t only accompanying your family dinner or relieving the stress of your day – in moderation, it is also helping you with some of your health as well!