Wine in its several variations has been studied for decades at this point, with the goal to either find or confirm any associated health benefits. A popular wine blog recently pointed out certain key findings shared by the Harvard Medical School. Their study results indicate that the antiaging benefits commonly attributed to red wine do have a strong scientific foundation. Apparently, the chief polyphenol antioxidant found in red wine known as resveratrol, can effectively slow down the aging process. That’s just one of the several other health benefits of wine though, and the wine connoisseurs at Underground Cellar help to explain them all in detail.
Wine Vs. Cardiac Arrest
Polyphenol antioxidants in general, and resveratrol in particular, can reduce a person’s chances of developing coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest. Therefore, moderate consumption of red wine might be advisable to maintain cardiac health, unless it is prohibited by a contradictory medical condition. The antioxidant plays an active role in:
- Protecting the endothelium (linings of human blood vessels)
- Boosting HDL production and curbing LDL levels in blood
- Preventing blood clots and arterial inflammation
Wine Vs. Intestinal Health Risks
There are four primary groups of antioxidants, which are collectively called polyphenols. These would be the flavonoids, the phenolic acids, the stilbenes and the lignans. Certain polyphenols found in wine can improve human intestinal health by:
- Providing food to probiotics (good bacteria), which strengthens digestive capacity
- Remodeling intestinal microbiota and regulating bile acid metabolism
There is also some evidence to suggest that red wine’s positive impact on intestinal health may reduce a person’s chances of developing severe TMAO-induced atherosclerosis.
Wine Vs. High Cardiometabolic Risk
High cardiometabolic risk refers to a condition where an individual has developed:
- High insulin resistance, which eventually leads to diabetes
- Atherogenic dyslipidemia
Atherogenic dyslipidemia is a precursor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The condition is identified when a patient’s lipid test shows a combination of elevated triglycerides, large TG rich LDLs, small-dense LDLs, and low levels of HDLs.
As previously explained, wine consumption promotes HDL production, and lowers blood LDL levels simultaneously. On the other hand, the ethanol found in wine can actively help in metabolizing blood glucose. As a result of those effects, moderate but regular wine consumption can be effective in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes to some degree. At no point should someone who already has diabetes consume alcohol in any form without consulting with their physician first. Barring extreme instances, drinking small quantities of wine might not be prohibited.
Wine Vs. Loss of Vision
A positive link has been established between drinking wine and retaining good vision through old age. Research results exhibit an encouraging connection between drinking wine and reduced chances of vision loss due to cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Once again, resveratrol plays the most important role in building this link.
There is more to wine than just red and white of course, which is why practicing a bit of caution while ordering is advisable. For example, grenache is too rich in alcohol to be fit for regular consumption, but pinot noir is a perfectly healthy choice, as it has no residual sugar in it.
