Red Wine Benefits

It indeed comes as a bit of good news to the wine enthusiasts to know that there are a plethora of red wine benefits. But it's quite a contradiction isn't it? On one hand, we have wine, which is an alcoholic drink, which is supposed to be bad for you and on the other, we have researchers asserting the benefits for men and women! But people still claim that a glass of wine a day can keep the doctor away. While doctors themselves are wary of recommending such an unusual medication, red wine is an instant hit among the masses. So what are the benefits that we hear about these days? Is it true that a regular glass of this crimson beverage may extend our lives by a jugful?

Benefits for Men and Women

Being a product which is naturally derived, red wine boasts of a host of ingredients that can do your body good, without any adverse side effects. The prominent in the list of do-gooders in red wine are antioxidants like resveratrol, flavonoids and non-flavonoids.

1. Heart Related Benefits: It reduces the level of harmful cholesterol (LDL) and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Consumption of red wine suppresses the production of LDL, hence the levels of cholesterol in the blood remain at a healthy level. The polyphenols in red wine also protect the lining of the blood vessels and prevents the formation of plaque in the blood vessels.
2. Anti-Carcinogenic: The most feted amongst the benefits is its apparent anti-carcinogenic properties. The resveratrol, which is an antioxidant, reduces the growth of enzymes that have the potential to create growth of cancer cells. Hence, the cancerous area is destroyed even before it forms in the body. Resveratrol is also useful for minimizing the risks of breast cancer in women, as it reduces the chances of growth of cells.
3. Avoid Degenerative Diseases: Red wine is largely looked upon as the 'fountain of youth' as it reduces the chances of getting degenerative, neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Being an antioxidant, it improves blood supply to the cells and fights the reactive oxidants in the body. It turns on the self-survival pathways of cells and prevents damage to them.
4. Prevents Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is the condition caused due to accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of the blood vessels which creates a bottleneck in the arteries. Atherosclerosis can be potentially dangerous as it increases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. As red wine helps lower the LDL cholesterol, the chances of cholesterol accumulation are very low.
5. Reduces Chances of Stroke: Drinking red wine also reduces the chances of a person suffering from a potentially fatal stroke. It is believed that red wine consumers have lower levels of fibrinogen, which increases the chances of a blood clot.

Red Wine Precautions

While the benefits are there for all to see, red wine is still an alcoholic beverage and hence it should not be consumed beyond a certain limit. While it is all good to see the positivity which antioxidants in red wine bring to the table, there are still good chances of liver diseases being caused due to alcohol consumption.

So to conclude this article, I would like to say that yes, moderation in the consumption of red wine can indeed lengthen your life by a few years, but too much may also reduce it! Too much of a good thing you know!