Most of us have probably heard the term "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." But could a glass of wine each day have the same effect?
Surprisingly, just as there are health benefits to drinking beer in moderation, there are a number of ways that a simple glass of wine can actually have a positive effect on the body.
This might come as welcome news to those who already indulge in a moderate amount of wine. But just as easily as wine can help the body, too much wine can have the complete opposite effect.
Scroll through below to see how much wine is too much wine, and how including a little bit in your diet could benefit everything from your cholesterol levels to your bone health.
But don't forget to speak with your doctor before making any major dietary adjustments, and exercise extreme caution, as alcohol can be addictive in many cases.
Are you someone who likes to enjoy wine? Which of these benefits was most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments!
How Much Wine Should I Drink To Reap The Benefits?
Wine, when enjoyed to excess, can have a largely negative impact on the human body. That's why experts recommend enjoying this beverage in moderation.
WebMD suggests that you watch your portion sizes and limit yourself to one glass of wine per day.
Keep scrolling below to see how a glass of wine a day really might be able to keep the doctor away.
Benefit #1: Promotes Heart Health
The most commonly known health benefit of wine is that it is good for the heart.
WebMD cites the example of the French diet which is high in wine (and in fat), but shows a very low occurrence of heart disease.
Benefit #2: Battles Breast, Colon, And Prostate Cancers
Lifehack.org reveals that certain types of cancer-causing cells and agents may be combatted with wine.
They write, "Studies show that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 50%."
They also cite resveratrol, which can be found in red grapes. "Resveratrol is also thought to kill cancer cells by cutting off a pathway that feeds cancer cells."
Benefit #3: Strengthens Bones
For those with weaker bones, a moderate amount of wine may be able to help out.
Health.com writes, "On average, women who drink moderately seem to have higher bone mass than abstainers.
"Alcohol appears to boost estrogen levels; the hormone seems to slow the body's destruction of old bone more than it slows the production of new bone."
Benefit #4: Lowers Diabetes Risk
Those at risk for diabetes may also reap the benefits of wine.
According to Health.com, "Premenopausal women who drink one or two glasses of wine a day are 40 percent less likely than women who don't drink to develop type 2 diabetes…
"While the reasons aren't clear, wine seems to reduce insulin resistance in diabetic patients."
Benefit #5: Reduces Cataract Risk
Lowering the risk of cataracts is another incredible benefit of wine.
According to Foodandwine.com, "Moderate drinkers are 32 percent less likely to get cataracts than nondrinkers; those who consume wine are 43 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those drinking mainly beer."
Benefit #6: Promotes Brain Health
Wine may also help those looking for a little boost in brain power.
"Resveratrol [found in red grapes] may help improve short-term memory," Lifehack.org writes.
"Researchers found that participants taking resveratrol had a significant increase in retention of words and showed faster performance in the portion of the brain associated with the formation of new memories, learning, and emotions."
Benefit #7: Lowers Cholesterol
Dr. Eric Rimm tells WebMD that the ethanol in wine "can help lower cholesterol levels [and] increase 'good' HDL cholesterol."
Again, this is not to say that wine should be enjoyed to excess, but it may reveal a strong correlation between wine and maintaining healthy cholesterol.
Benefit #8: Battles Cavities
Wine also has properties that are helpful in killing bacteria.
As a result, CNN writes, "The antimicrobial properties of wine, especially red wine, are being studied for cavity prevention."
That's not to say too much wine won't turn your teeth purple in the short term!
When enjoyed in moderation, a bit of wine can clearly have a positive impact on quite a few aspects of our health. Just make sure to talk to your doctor before making any major dietary decisions.
Which of these surprised you the most? Are you someone who enjoys wine in moderation? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with friends and family!
