In one camp, you have people who swear by having one glass of wine per day to keep the doctor away. On the other hand, others suggest that drinking wine daily leads to alcoholism – which opens up a plethora of other problems.
The good news is that we're here to help. We're going to clear the air and put an end to this wine debacle. It doesn't matter if it's Merlot or Rosé; you'll leave here knowing for a fact that drinking less wine is pointless – even nonsensical.
Fun and Healthy Wine Facts
Everyone talks about the adverse health effects of alcohol, and for good reasons. Still, alcohol has several health benefits everyone should be aware of. Moreover, wine has unique properties that make it healthier than other types of alcohol.
It's All About the Polyphenols
Red wine is one of the healthiest types of wine to drink. What makes red wine healthy are the antioxidants it contains. These antioxidants are known as polyphenols, and polyphenols protect the heart. Research suggests that polyphenol resveratrol is responsible for red wine's health benefits.
Resveratol is healthy because it prevents damage to blood vessels. It prevents damage by reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Lipoprotein is LDL cholesterol and having too much LDL puts you at risk of developing blood clots.
Big science words aside, red wine has antioxidants that reduce the chances of developing a blood clot.
Alcohol Doubles as a Blood Thinner
Thick blood leads to blood clots. Unfortunately, our blood thickens as we age and becomes more likely to clot. Depending on where the blood clot is located, it might be fatal.
Luckily, alcohol found in wine and other alcoholic beverages can help. Alcohol thins the blood and helps reduce the size of blood clots. Plus, it prevents blood clots from forming.
To enjoy the benefits of alcohol's blood-thinning effects, feel free to have your favorite glass of red or white wine. Blood doesn't discriminate.
Alcohol Raises Cholesterol. But in a Good Way
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is known as "good" cholesterol.
Yes, cholesterol can be good or evil – you read that right.
HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol because it absorbs cholesterol in the blood and brings it to the liver. From there, the liver removes the excess cholesterol from your body. High levels of HDL prevent heart disease, blood clots, and even strokes.
So, what does wine have to do with this? Experts have found that one or two glasses of wine per day will raise your HDL cholesterol.
Who knew wine could be such a heart-healthy part of your diet?
Wine Makes You Smarter
This sounds like a bold claim, right? What if we told you it's not? According to a study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience by Alberto Granzotto and Paolo Zatta, drinking wine helps with brain health.
Drinking wine, specifically red wine, helps with brain health by preventing degenerative neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's. The researchers found that resveratrol prevents beta-amyloids from developing in the brain.
These beta-amyloids cause plaque in the brain that increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimers.
Red Wine vs. White Wine: Let the Battle Begin
There are always two sides to the story. You have red wine drinkers, white wine drinkers, and people who dabble in both. So, is it only pointless to drink less red wine? Or is it only pointless to drink less white wine? Let's find out together.
What's the Difference Between Red and White Wine?
The key difference between red wine and white wine comes down to grapes. Red wine is left to ferment with most of the grape parts included. So, grapes for red wine include the skin, seeds, and stems.
White wine grapes are a bit different. Components of the grape, like the seeds and stems, are removed. Removing these parts of the grapes alters the flavor and incorporates less plant material into the wine.
It's also worth noting that different colored grapes also play a role in whether a wine is red or white.
Is Red Wine Healthier Than White Wine?
According to professor Eric Rimm, an instructor at Harvard University, red wine is healthier than white wine. Red wine is healthier because it contains more polyphenols than white wine. Polyphenol resveratrol protects the heart from blood clots and other risk factors of heart disease. White wine contains polyphenols but not as many as red wine.
Always Drink Responsibly: Moderation is Key
Drinking less wine may be pointless but drinking too much wine is also pointless. Too much wine consumption leads to alcoholism and several other problems. It's fun to have a glass or two of wine but drinking a whole bottle of red wine every night is a sign of a problem.
How Much Wine is Too Much?
We've established that drinking less wine is pointless, but how do you know if you're drinking too much wine?
While the question sounds complicated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that women should drink no more than one five-ounce glass of wine per day. For men, that number is two glasses of wine. However over-indulging from time to time, is not going to be the end of the world - just possibly the abrupt end to your current mid-morning meeting.
Experts also recommend having days during the week when you don't drink wine to remove pressure from your hard-working liver. A daily liver supplement such as Milk Thistle also helps to show this invaluable organ some love.
Avoid Drinking Too Little or Too Much Wine: Thread the Needle
Everything is okay in moderation. In fact, some things like wine are even beneficial in moderation. Overall, its antioxidants (polyphenols) protect the lining of the heart.
That said, there are more benefits to drinking wine than heart health. Alcohol is a social lubricant, and one glass of wine can enhance your evening when spending time with friends or family. There may be nothing more joyless to some, than having an evening out without discovering a new wine. Now that would be pointless.
At the end of the day, there's no shame in ending the day, or night for that matter, with a delicious glass of your favorite wine.
