Should You Be Drinking Red Wine?A Wellness Perspective

Wondering if red wine is good for your health? Learn the truth about wine’s benefits, risks, and how to enjoy it mindfully.  We will also explore risks associated with alcohol intake even in moderation.  

Red wine has long been romanticized as a “healthy indulgence”.  From the famous Mediterranean diet to the so-called “French Paradox,” many believe that a daily glass may benefit the heart, improve longevity, and offer a dose of antioxidants.  But…is red wine as healthy as it seems?

What Makes Red Wine Healthy?

• Resveratrol - a polyphenol found in grape skins, linked to heart and brain health

• Flavonoids and Tannins - antioxidants that may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation 

• May raise HDL and improve blood vessel function

But these benefits come with a catch as they are only linked to moderate consumption and you can achieve the same benefit in alcohol-free sources …sorry to burst your bubble.  

Proven Benefits of Red Wine (in Moderation)

1.  May Support Heart Health:

   • May raise HDL cholesterol

   • Reduce clot formation

   • Improve blood vessel flexibility

2.  May Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes:

• Some studies have found a 12% lower risk of type 2 diabetes as a result of lower concentrations of C - reactive protein - a marker of inflammation 

• Additionally, the CASCADE trial, a 2 year randomized controlled trial, demonstrated that initiating moderate red wine intake among well-controlled diabetics modestly decreased cardiometabolic risk

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of 38 observational studies also supported that red wine at 10 -14 g/day is associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes .  It is important to note that more is not better and is associated with health risks that we will discuss below.  

3.  Rich in Antioxidants:

• Resveratrol

• Quercetin

• Catechin 

All known to protect cells from damage and support healthy aging.  

4.  Potential Brain Benefits:

• Limited evidence that moderate wine drinkers may have lower risk of cognitive decline though more research is needed 

Despite all these shiny benefits, red wine still contains alcohol which is a toxin.  In large amounts it may be linked to several health risks.  

Let’s Discuss Risks of Any Alcohol Consumption:

1. Increased Cancer Risk:

• Breast cancer

• Liver cancer

• Mouth, throat, and esophageal cancer

2.  Liver Damage:

• Chronic drinking can lead to fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis 

3.  Mental Health Strain:

• Alcohol can worsen anxiety, depression, sleep, and become habit forming

4.  Weight Gain:

• Fueled by empty calories

Even if it’s just red wine you are sipping, no alcohol is still considered healthier overall.  The benefits of red wine can be achieved with non-alcohol methods such as no alcohol red wine, low sugar grape juice, herbal tonics and adaptogenic drinks, polyphenol rich foods like blueberries, pomegranates, and green tea.  

If you must consume, remember moderation is key. 

Women: no more than 1 glass of red wine per day. 

Men: no more than 2 glasses of red wine per day. 

One glass = 5 oz of wine at ~12% alcohol.