Is Red Wine Really Good for You?

When people give advice about good health, some things seem like they are too good to be true—like drinking red wine as a protective measure. You hear all the time that there are superfoods and that these alone can help to offer you tremendous health benefits. By eating these foods, or in this case drinking them, you will help to protect your health into the long term. Some of these foods make clear sense, like avocado and salmon that provide good fats. Berries with their nutrients and antioxidants especially make sense. When you hear about red wine, though, the natural reaction is to resist the information because we can’t possibly believe there are benefits to drinking—but in this case, there really are!

The thing about red wine is that it contains a very important nutrient and antioxidant. You may have heard of resveratrol, but you might not know anything about it. In the short term, this antioxidant can help you to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In the long term, it can help to prevent disease, such as heart disease, and ensure that you get toxins out of the body. So, when you hear that red wine is good for you, know that this has much to do with its high concentration of the antioxidant resveratrol. This is such an important compound, and it is found most readily in grapes and red wine. So is red wine good for you? Yes, and the health benefits start with this compound--and how it can positively influence your health.

Don’t Overdo a Good Thing

The problem with red wine lies in the amount that you should really drink. When people hear that things like dark chocolate or wine are good for them, they tend to overdo it. If it’s a good thing, then just keep on enjoying it, right? This is the wrong approach because it can really hurt you in the long term. If you drink too much wine or eat too much dark chocolate, then you are counteracting the healthy balance. Working within proper limits, such as one glass of red wine each day, will help tremendously. Learn that balance is key to your long-term health and maintaining the best lifestyle.

So, yes, there is a reason that red wine makes the superfood and best food lists. It truly is a wonderfully healthy beverage, but you do need to be careful of the portion sizes. You never want to overdo a good thing, for this can lead to weight gain and other problems. Manage your serving size, enjoy this little treat within your already healthy lifestyle, and learn to embrace what this magic drink can do for your health. This will lead you down a healthy path and protect your body now and well into the long term.