Ladies and gentlemen, I feel like this is the health unwrapped that many have been waiting for. When I first got the idea for this series last year, I asked a few people IRL if they had suggestions of foods that I could feature. Everyone said one of two things – wine and chocolate. So, is red wine good for you? Let’s chat.
Suggested Post: Is Dark Chocolate Good For You?
We’ve all heard that tale about the health benefits of red wine, or that joke at the table when another bottle is opened. But it’s 2021 and I’m also pretty sure that we all know that health benefits and alcohol don’t exactly go hand in hand. In this post, we’ll chat about what the reported benefits are, and what that sweet amount that’s supposedly good for you is.
And as red wine is the ingredient of the month, that also means there’ll be a recipe including red wine once a week for the rest of the month. I’m very sorry to any readers that don’t drink. There’ll be something for you in September.
Is red wine good for you?
In moderation, maybe, not to be drinking by the bottle.
What Are The Health Benefits?
In one sentence – it has antioxidants that can be good for your heart health.
Sounds too good to be true? Let’s expand. Back to basics, wine is never going to be one of your five a day, but it is made from grapes. And the antioxidants that can be good for heart health comes from the grape skins used to make red wine.
The magic ingredient is resveratrol. It can reduce bad cholesterol and help protect your blood vessels. Although the studies into this have provided mixed results, some have shown that it can reduce inflammation and blood clotting.
How Much Is Good For You?
Of course, no one is promoting drinking your way to good health. But a glass of red wine with your dinner a few nights a week might just be good for you.
And How Much is Too Much?
Okay, I’m not calling anyone an alcoholic, and I certainly love a glass of wine or five myself. But this series is all about health and I can’t post it in good conscience without adding the disclaimer stuff too.
The following information is based on the legal limits in the UK regarding drink driving and advice from the NHS, please note this could differ in your country.
One medium glass of wine (175ml) contains 2.1 units of alcohol. A small glass (125ml) is 1.5 units and a large glass (250ml) is 3 units.
In the UK, it is recommended that men and women consume no more than 14 units a week, and it’s recommended those units are spread over three or more days. The recommended units for men and women used to be different, but these guidelines were revised in 2016.
And as for drink driving, that’s a slightly more complicated answer because the official limit depends on how much is in your blood stream, which varies depending on how you metabolise it. But the general rule is no more than one glass.
Have you heard that red wine is good for you before? Are you more of a red, white or pink person? Unless it’s fizzy, I’m a red or pink kinda girl.
Until next time,
Sophie
I love wine! But of course you have to be careful with how much you drink. I definitely think a few glasses is perfectly fine, especially spaced out.
Informative Article, Well done!
I’m a red wine kinda girl. I love red wine. There are non alcoholic red wines as well and studies have shown that the non-alcoholic red wines are not way healthier than the alcoholic ones. I haven’t had an alcoholic red wine before lol. I will try it one day tho. Thank you for sharing.
I drink wine very rarely but a good red wine can be such a wonderful treat. I’ve read over the years a few things about the health benefits of it and can see how that is the case. Thanks for all the info here — I’ll be sharing it with the red wine overs within my own family.
You had me at, merlot! I love red wine and I love that it does have some health benefits. A glass three times a week and I am a happy girl!
Thank you for sharing!
I’ve heard that red wine is good for you before too, which is good because I’ve recently started drinking again (not like… drinking drinking but just occasionally) and I’m really enjoying red wine at the moment so to know that a couple of glasses a week isn’t doing any harm is great!
Oh, love this! I’m an any wine type of girl! I usually drink on Saturdays or when I cook a nice intricate/time-consuming meal like a roast dinner but when I’m on vacay, it’s drinks all day haha My mom always pushed that red wine is healthy. She used to take a small shot of it after dinner every night! Thanks for sharing x
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