A glass of red wine after a long day at work can do you wonders. We all know it helps you unwind and de-stress in the evening, but many of us see it as a guilty pleasure, rather than a healthy supplement to our diets. Why? Isn’t a glass of red wine full of empty calories?
Wrong, my friend. Drinking a glass of red wine a day could be the best thing you’ve done for your body in a long time. Read on for our favorite reasons to love red wine:
Good For Your Heart
LDL (or “bad cholesterol,” when it’s at home) substantially increases your chances of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Red wine has been proven to help protect your body against LDLs. In fact, studies show that healthy individuals enjoyed a 9% drop in cholesterol levels, after drinking red wine regularly and those who already had high cholesterol saw a 12% drop.
Keeping The Plumbing Clean
Polyphenols, present in red wine, have been shown to reduce the risk of blood clotting in the arteries. Bear in mind, however, that heavy drinking damages – rather than supports – your heart. It’s crucial that you drink red wine in moderation, otherwise you lose the health benefits.
Approximately, that means one glass a day for a woman and two for a man. One glass is approximately 140ml or 5 fluid ounces.
Memory Retention
We all suffer from memory loss as we get older, but a glass of red wine a day can keep your cognitive functions sharp. How? Beta-amyloid protein is a type of plaque that forms in the brain of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Red wine can help prevent this memory killer from developing in the first place.
Well-Being
Red wine is absolutely packed with antioxidants that stop you from getting sick easily. According to a study conducted on Spanish students, those who drank 14 glasses of red wine a week for a year, were 40% less likely to come down with the common cold! No more NyQuill and Vicks Vapor Rub for you this winter.
Fighting Cancer and Diabetes
Resveratrol has myriad health benefits for the body – it’s a powerhouse compound. One of its most impressive qualities is its ability to fight nascent cancer cells by starving them before they can develop. All you have to do is drink one glass of red wine three or four times a week, to help prevent cancer.
Resveratrol can also help diabetics regulate their blood sugar level. Researchers are not fully sure why, but they believe that it’s to do with resveratrol’s ability to regulate glucose and insulin sensitivity…so get on that Pibran Pauillac!
Inches Off Your Waistline
Surely alcohol is fattening? Au contraire. In moderation, red wine can help prevent the growth of fat cells by binding insulin receptors and blocking the path of immature fat cells, so they can’t develop and mature in the body.
So the next time you want to enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner, make sure it’s red!
