National Red Wine Day is celebrated on Aug. 28 to honor and appreciate one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the country.

Red Wines have very much been part of the social, cultural and religious events over centuries. These burgundy-colored beverages have magically won human hearts for generations. It is a popular belief that there is nothing a glass of red wine can't fix.

Researchers have found that red wines are healthier compared to other alcoholic beverages even though drinking any alcohol should be done responsibly, that is, in moderation.

red-wine-1004255_640
Representational image pixabay

Celebrate National Red Wine day with a glass or two of the delicious wine while you read about the health benefits of the beverage:

  1. Rich in antioxidants- Red wines are rich in antioxidants like resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. Of these, antioxidants, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are particularly responsible for maintaining good health.
  2. Lowers bad cholesterol- Red wines, in general, are good for lowering bad cholesterol levels in the body, especially the wines made from high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes.
  3. Keeps heart healthy- Studies have shown that there is a positive link between moderate red wine drinking and good heart health. However, excess alcohol can harm the heart. So Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recommends a moderate intake of wine -- 1 glass per day for females and 2 glasses for males.
  4. Regulates blood sugar- Researchers have found that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner reduces "cardiometabolic risk" in type 2 diabetes as ethanol in wine plays a crucial role in metabolizing glucose.
  5. Reduces cancer risk- Drinking heavily over time can cause cancer but drinking in moderation can reduce the risk of certain types of cancers like basal cell, colon and ovarian cancers.
  6. Reduces Blood Pressure- Scientists have found that an antioxidant in red wine may help in reducing blood pressure and increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Compounds called procyanidins in red wine helps to keep the blood vessels healthy. Nonalcoholic red wines are also found to have these benefits.
  7. Reduces the risk of depression- A study conducted in 2013 showed that people who drank between 2–7 glasses of wine each week had lower levels of depression.
  8. Positive effects on digestive system- Polyphenols present in grapes and red wine can improve the gut microbiota, contributing to a healthy gut.
RELATED STORIES