From birthdays to anniversaries, from proposing marriage to wedding toasts, from Christmas to New Years for years red wine has been holding a major spot in all the celebrations. It was popular in western culture and soon made its way in India and became part of celebrations in India as well. Red wine has been quite popular for its health benefits for years but is it actually healthy?
To understand whether it is good for health or not, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Sangeeta Tiwari, Clinical Nutritionist, Artemis Lite, New Delhi.
When asked if red wine is good for health, Dr Tiwari said, “The answer to this question is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While moderate consumption of red wine may offer certain health advantages because of its antioxidant content, it's important to consider various factors and consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating it into your diet only for health reasons.”
Benefits Of Red Wine
Red wine does have some benefits to offer, let’s have a look at them.
Rich In Antioxidants
According to a study, red wine contains resveratrol which proves to be beneficial for health. Resveratrol, a polyphenol, is one of the key components of red wine which contributes to the majority of its health benefits. “Resveratrol is said to provide numerous health benefits, like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as potential cardiovascular benefits. These properties may help in providing protection against heart disease by reducing inflammation and lowering LDL cholesterol levels, which is often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol,” Dr Tiwari said. Additionally, red wine also contains other polyphenols like flavonoids and tannins, which also possess antioxidant properties. These compounds combat the free radicals and protect the cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to various chronic diseases including cardiovascular problems and even certain cancers.
Aids Diabetes
Citing studies, Dr Tiwari said, “Studies have shown a link between moderate consumption of red wine and a reduced risk of certain health conditions. Moderated red wine intake may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, it's crucial to emphasise that moderation is key, as excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing diabetes and other health problems.”
Lowers Risk Of Neurological Problems
Adding to its further benefits, Dr Tiwari also said that moderate red wine consumption may have neuroprotective effects and can lower the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease to an extent. “However, these findings are not supported by very concrete evidence and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between red wine consumption and brain health,” Dr Tiwari clarified.
Moderation Is The Key
It is of utmost importance to understand that moderate red wine consumption may offer some health benefits but excessive alcohol consumption can turn the tables. Consuming excessive alcohol can have negative effects on your health. Warning, Dr Tiwari said, “Heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of liver disease, certain types of cancer, addiction, mental health disorders, and other serious health problems. Therefore, it's crucial to adhere to recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption and avoid excessive drinking.”
Defining the moderation in this case, Dr Tiwari specified, “Up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. One drink is typically equivalent to 5 ounces of wine. It's also important to take individual factors under consideration like age, gender, weight, overall health, and any medications you may be taking, as these can influence how alcohol affects your body.”
Conclusion
Red wine is just one source of antioxidants and polyphenols but these health benefitting compounds can also be found in many other nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Concluding, Dr Tiwari said, “Red wine cannot be used as a solution for health problems, and it's essential to consider individual factors. Moderate consumption of red wine is okay but its excessive consumption cannot be encouraged because of the little health benefits that it offers.”