Is Wine Good For You? | Possible Health Benefits & Risks

Humanity has been making wine since at least 7000 BC. In the millennia since, this most famous alcoholic beverage has developed a reputation for sophistication, craftsmanship, and even as a wellspring of good health for those who indulge.

Although there are some potential health benefits of red wine and white wine, there are also several risks that come with drinking too much wine.

Potential Health Benefits Of A Regular Glass Of Wine

It’s important to stress that any beneficial effects of wine vanish when drinking alcohol becomes excessive. Only moderate consumption of wine is considered to be healthy, which is no more than one or two glasses of red wine each day. 

Moderate drinking is defined as up to 5 oz of wine per day for women and 10 oz per day for men, assuming that no other alcoholic beverages are consumed.

Moderate wine drinkers who stick to this quantity may experience health benefits that include:

Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease

Those who drink moderate amounts of wine have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke. 

Researchers suspect that wine provides cardiovascular health benefits through a few different mechanisms, including:

• vasodilation, expanding blood vessels to lower the risk of clotting
• boosting HDL (good cholesterol) and counteracting LDL (bad cholesterol)
• other antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Reduced Risk Of Cancer

Alcohol, and red wine, in particular, contain a number of different polyphenols. These are antioxidant compounds that can inhibit the development and growth of a wide range of different types of cancer.

A polyphenol is known as resveratrol, in particular, has attracted attention for its many suspected beneficial effects. This compound comes from red grape skins and is responsible for how frequently dietary guidelines favor red wine over white wines or other alcoholic drinks.

Reduced Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

Resveratrol and ethanol can improve sensitivity to insulin and help manage blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Increased Bone Density

Regular consumption of wine in moderation has been found to increase a person’s long-term bone mineral density and slow bone turnover (also known as bone resorption). 

These levels are higher when a person is at a higher risk of osteoporosis, a disease of increasingly brittle bones.

Improved Mental Health

Limited consumption of wine, and red wines in particular, may help reduce symptoms of depression and may also reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, or the severity of the disease if it does develop.

Health Risks Of Excessive Wine Consumption

Even though many studies have associated moderate alcohol consumption with improved long-term health, researchers remain starkly divided as to whether alcohol consumption can ever be recommended. 

In addition, definitively proving the effectiveness of red wine or any other alcoholic beverage in preventing or treating a specific health issue has proven difficult. And the potential harms of alcohol, including wine, when consumed in excess cannot be overlooked.

Adverse Effects

These harms are well-known to healthcare providers and public health officials and may include:

• addiction and dependence, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD)
• social and relational problems
• motor vehicle accidents
• other accidental injury and death (drownings, falls, etc.)
• alcohol poisoning
• sexual assault, domestic abuse, and other acts of violence
• developmental problems and miscarriage in cases of pregnancy
• weight gain and obesity
• chronic pancreatitis
• diabetes complications
• impotence and sexual dysfunction
• alcoholic liver disease (hepatitis, steatosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure)
• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and poor heart health
• increased risk of cancer
• digestive problems
• weakened immune system function
• brain damage, increasing the risk of future dementia
• mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
• reduced lifespan and quality-of-life

If you or your loved one drink too much wine or struggle with alcohol intake of any kind, please contact us today to learn about our treatment options.