This month, we celebrated National Drink Wine Day. And although it’s certainly a fun holiday, it begs the question: Could wine and health go hand in hand? The truth is that, in moderation and when you choose the right kind of wine, you may be able to think of a glass of vino as more of a treat than a cheat in maintaining your healthy lifestyle.
Wine can have a positive impact on many important areas of your health. Though wine isn’t a substitute for the aspects of healthy living that we know are beneficial, such as a well-rounded diet and regular exercise, you can enjoy a glass knowing it has some bonus benefits for your health.
Wine and Your Heart Health
According to researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, moderate alcohol drinkers have a 25–40% reduced risk of heart attack, clot-caused stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and death from cardiovascular causes in comparison with non-drinkers. Now, this study did include all types of alcohols, but wine is part of that group.
Wine does come in two primary varieties, red and white, so which is best? There are varying opinions on the topic, but the consensus is that both have powerful antioxidants that provide ample health benefits. What red wine has that white doesn’t, though, is resveratrol, a chemical thought to prevent cancer. So while both are beneficial, you may want to learn to like red if you’re currently a white drinker.
Wine and Your Lifespan
Want to live to 100 or older? You may want to add a glass or two of wine to your daily routine. Time reports that new research released in February 2018 suggests that drinking two four-ounce glasses of wine daily is linked to an 18% decrease in one’s risk of early death. Again, red wine gets a nod here for its resveratrol, which has anti-aging benefits.
Wine and Your Waistline
Whether you are on a low-carb, low-sugar, or low-calorie diet, wine can fit in nicely with your daily macros. For the most part, wine packs a lower punch in the areas of carbs, sugar, and calories than beer or mixed drinks. While a glass of vodka on the rocks is also low on the macros you’re probably measuring, it’s a lot easier to drink a nice glass of wine without needing anything mixed in.
Avoid dessert and sweet wines if you’re tracking your daily numbers since they tend to have much higher sugar content.
Wine and Health: Everything in Moderation
Just because wine has been shown to be beneficial in many areas of a healthy lifestyle, that doesn’t mean you should go crazy with your intake. The American Heart Association classifies a serving of wine as four ounces. Most wine glasses, however, can hold up to 12 ounces of liquid. Red-wine glasses are larger to provide for aeration, so until you are clear on how much four ounces looks like, it’s smart to actually measure your intake.
When it comes to wine, one to two glasses a day is the most you should be drinking. A bottle of wine holds an average of four glasses, meaning you could reasonably drink a bottle of wine a week. And, of course, if you’ve had issues with alcoholism (or just don’t like wine), look for a good supplement that includes antioxidants and resveratrol. The supplements can provide the same benefits without the alcohol intake.
CoolSculpting Supports Your Smart Health Goals
If a healthy lifestyle is how you choose to live, you want to be your best in all aspects of life. While you’re enjoying your glass of wine this evening, read more about how CoolSculpting can help you look better in your clothes and feel better about yourself. Bodify specializes in this patented fat-freezing technique; it’s all we do. After just one application, you’ll be ready for a wine and health toast to a new you.
