You’ve probably heard that a glass of wine here and there keeps the doctor away, but how does it contribute to your health? New studies appear to support the health benefits of drinking wine moderately.
Made by fermenting and crushing dark-colored grapes (rich in several antioxidants), red wine comes in different varieties, including Blend Red, Merlot, and Pinot noir. The color of the wine may vary from brick red, depending on how old it is.
Red wine was first produced around 6000 BC in Iran and Georgia Using the fermentation process. Additionally, the documentation of wine as a man-made medicine was around 2200BC, in ancient Sumerian and Egyptian Sumerian tablets.
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What Gives Red Wine It’s Health Benefits?
As mentioned earlier, red wine is made from grapes rich in several antioxidants that fight off free radicals that cause serious health problems like cancer. Additionally, these antioxidants prevent aging and inflammatory diseases. They include:
- Resveratrol
- Anthocyanins
- Quercetin
- Ellagic acid
- Catechins
Benefits of Red Wine
Here are five benefits of red wine for skin, hair, and health you should know.
1. Skin Benefits
Red wine’s antioxidants not only protects the skin by fighting free radicals, but it also prevents it from aging. It’s packed with antioxidants like tannin, flavonoid, and resveratrol, which help fight aging by restoring elastic fibers and collagen.
This boosts sagging skin and plumps out wrinkles. Applying red wine topically reduces lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation. The antioxidants also prevent skin cancer by creating a protective barrier against sun damage.
Red wine facials are steadily gaining popularity, and there’s a good reason for this. They remove blemishes and give a refreshing glow. These facials are rejuvenating, de-stressing, and therapeutic. Exfoliants and skin scrubs that contain red wine improve blood circulation and remove dead skin cells.
Polyphenols, another constituent of red wine, prevents cell oxidation and effectively rejuvenates dull skin to glowing skin. If you’re wondering how red wine can be used for dull skin, this is how to go about it:
- Mix a small quantity of wine with essential oils, rosehip, strawberries, grapes, and apply on your face.
- Gently massage for ten minutes and rinse with cold water.
It’s also worth noting that wine has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. To prevent any future breakouts and fight acne, take a cotton ball soaked in red wine. Apply it regularly on the face for 15 to 20 minutes. Doing this will help clean up the pores, and you’ll be saying goodbye to acne in no time.
2. Promotes Hair Growth
Hair loss or balding is one of the most frustrating issues for most people. It can be stressful seeing your hair fall off and get scattered everywhere on the floor whenever you comb it. Luckily, you don’t have to go through that nightmare.
Rinsing your scalp and hair with red wine applies Resveratrol (natural enzymes in wine), which promotes the growth of fuller hair and stops cell inflammation. Aside from this, depending on how often you use red wine, ultraviolet rays will be kept at bay. This way, your hair will still look fabulous even under the strain and stress of the sun.
For best and lasting results, do a wine rinse after you shampoo and condition a few times every week. Additionally, if the smell of wine irritates you, dilute it with water before applying on your hair, but the results may not be as noticeable as using undiluted wine.
3. Boosts Heart Health
Although more research is needed, red wine’s antioxidants (flavonoids and resveratrol) are thought to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, which is the good cholesterol) in the body and prevents blood clotting in the arteries.
Drinking Red wine in moderation seems to have a lower risk of heart disease. As mentioned earlier, more research is needed to ascertain these claims. It’s worth noting that drinking too much may have detrimental effects on your health, such as:
- Obesity
- High triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
4. Promotes Better Sleep
Of course, sleep plays a crucial role in our everyday lives; not only is it involved with the repair of our blood vessels and heart, but it helps us relax. Drink a small amount of red wine at least three hours before bedtime to calm your mind and body. Red wine exhibits high concentrations of Melatonin, which ensures proper sleep.
It’s worth noting that Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone present in the body and is responsible for stimulating the sleeping patterns. The red wines that are rich in this compound are Pinot Nero and Merlot.
[ Read: 7 Ways To Improve Your Sleep ]
5. Relieves Stress and Anxiety
If your day has been long, sipping on a glass of wine may help you relax. And there’s more science behind this calming effect.
A recent study has discovered that drinking red wine can help you loosen up, and it’s all because of resveratrol. This compound can inhibit enzymes related to anxiety, stress, and depression.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that taking a glass of red wine is a full proof cure for anyone suffering from anxiety or depression. However, if you’re feeling stressed out after a long day, then a tipple or two will help you unwind.
The Bottom Line
Avoid red wine entirely if you’re under medication, have liver disease, or are pregnant. Although red wine has countless benefits, excessive consumption can cause serious health problems. Always remember that too much of anything can be harmful. Carry due diligence or ask your doctor about specific recommendations to assure you of the safe consumption and use of red wine.
