You’ve probably heard that having a glass of wine a day is good for your health. Some of our customers mentioned that drinking wine among the ways they stay healthy.
What Does That Glass of Wine Do for You?
- Slow aging
- Reduce blood clots
- Reduce cholesterol
- Maintain blood pressure
Does that sound good? The realities of health benefits, or the developing realities as studies accumulate, aren’t always so clear as the boosters claim. Yes, there are health benefits to moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, but there are cautions as well.
If a little is good, a lot is better, right? Wrong. You raise your risk of heart disease if you drink beyond moderation. Moderation is no more than 1-2 glasses per day for a man and 1 glass a day for a woman.
So, the news is all good on wine? Not necessarily. There was a very large study a few years ago showing an increased risk of some cancers, including breast cancer, for those who drink in moderation—yes, that’s moderation. Others say the risks of toxic compounds in wine and other alcohols outweigh the benefits. The scientific evidence in favor of wine for health is not overwhelming.
The anti-aging effects of resveratrol in dark red wines have seemed to melt away as more studies control for the factors thought to convey the benefits.
What about heart health? Those the benefits of moderate alcohol use hold up in studies, the American Heart Association has a whole different set of suggestions to prevent heart disease, and they don’t include alcohol. Focus on blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise, no smoking, and normal weight.
Do you have to drink wine to get these benefits? Not necessarily. Antioxidants in dark grape juice and whole red and purple grapes can give you many of the same benefits.
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