Enjoying a glass or two or red wine may seem like an indulgence after a long day or while socializing with friends, but it can be more advantageous than you are aware. Studies in recent years continually tout benefits associated with the richly colored beverage. Here are five reasons to continue sipping your wine.
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Memory
While an abundance of alcohol is often associated with a loss of memory, drinking lightly or in moderation has actually been associated with increasing memory. Studies have shown that there are cognitive benefits to ingesting resveratrol, a phenol found in red wine. These include a substantial increase in short-term memory and retention, forming new memories, learning, and overall performance.
Cold Control
For years you have heard the stories of the generation who fought through colds by downing a shot of alcohol. Well, they may not have been too far off. Red wine contains anti-oxidants, or flavonoids, which may play a part in reducing the buildup of mucous and phlegm associated with a respiratory issue. These flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, meaning they are beneficial in preventing infections of the upper respiratory tract such as rhinovirus and sinusitis.
Mental Health
A study published in BMC Medicine, an online journal, followed over 5,000 drinkers for a course of seven years. The findings showed that those who were light or moderate drinkers, indulging in up to seven glasses of wine per week, were less likely to suffer from depression than their non-drinking counterparts.
Heart Health
Drinking red wine in moderate amounts can help raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDLs. This is the type of cholesterol that is beneficial to your overall well-being. This increase can result in lower chances of heart disease, meaning you decrease your chances for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular-related issues.
Cancer
While drinking certainly is not the cure for cancer, it has been shown that drinking red wine can be beneficial to preventing certain cancers in the body. Studies have been done on a multitude of types, showing that moderate consumption can reduce some types by nearly 50 percent, including colon and prostate cancers. A decrease in the risk of breast cancer is also associated with red wine, as it has been shown to inhibit enzymes that are present in breast cancer tumors. The resveratrol is also believed to play a part is starving cancer cells, thus killing them off.
Drinking in excess is never a good idea. However, topping off your day with a glass of red can allow you to relax while benefiting your body’s overall health.