Red wine. So good Lady Gaga wrote about it. But we’re here to talk about health, so while some people swear by a nice glass of red wine in the evening, there’s loads of others who will tell you any alcohol consumption can be harmful so who do you believe, and is red wine healthy? Let's take a closer look.
Here’s the science bit: red wine contains a compound called resveratrol, which is found in the skin of red grapes. Resveratrol has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties - which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Some studies also suggest that moderate red wine consumption may have a positive effect on blood pressure and cholesterol levels, too.
However, before you start popping corks willy-nilly, it's important to say here that the health benefits of red wine are largely associated with moderate consumption. Sorry to sound like a parent, but drinking too much alcohol can have serious health consequences, including liver damage, increased risk of certain types of cancer, and addiction.
So what’s moderate? We’re talking one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men. And not your pint glasses, either. And as part of a healthy lifestyle. We’re not going to sit here and judge you for anything, but to be serious for a second, what counts as moderate doesn’t apply to everyone: individual factors such as age, weight, and overall health all impact how alcohol affects the body.
