Health Benefits of Red Wine

The fermentation of food and drink has long been a way for people to preserve foods and to make them safe for consumption. Alcohol is considered the first deliberate fermentation by humans, with archeological evidence of winemaking dating back to 7000 BCE in the middle east. Since that time, people and cultures have known that the moderate consumption of red wine promotes health and increases life span. History shows us that red wine has been a nutritive staple in many cultures, and has played a significant role as a medicine and in religious ceremonies.

Red wine gained worldwide attention in the 1990’s because of the ‘French Paradox’. Researchers found that the French ate diets high in saturated fat, which was a known correlate to heart disease. The French, however, were not suffering from heart disease. Researchers soon attributed this phenomenon to the high consumption of red wine in the French diet. Naturally, the world wondered, what’s so great about red wine? It has a lot to do with production techniques. Red wine is left to ferment with the grape skins, seeds and stems, which gives it 12 times the polyphenol and antioxidant activity than that of white wine.

Resveratrol is polyphenolic phytochemical found in red wine that has received most of the attention. Resveratrol is important biochemically and physiologically to our health. Red wine, grapes and peanuts are common dietary sources of resveratrol. Researches have found resveratrol to be cardioprotective, cancer preventative and anti-inflammatory. Studies also show that it increases longevity, improves mental function and regulates insulin sensitivity.

It’s not just resveratrol, however, that gives red wine its health properties. Red wine has high concentrations of many polyphenolic flavonoids, which are beneficial for metabolic and cardiovascular health. The flavonoids in red wines are specifically anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective. They improve vascular endothelial function, glycemic control, and enhance cognitive function.

Evidence suggests that moderate consumption of red wine is safe and beneficial to our health. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol consumption is considered 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Any more than that, the health benefits are greatly reduced.

Written By Jennifer Peterson, MSOM, LAc