The benefits of wine 🆙

Drink yes, but well

We often talk about the benefits of wine but, before going into the topic, it is important to make a premise: wine is an alcoholic beverage and, as such, it should be consumed in moderate quantities. The maximum reasonable limit is two glasses a day for men and one glass a day for women, preferably during main meals and in any case never on an empty stomach.

The difference between the recommended consumption in men and women depends on the different biological characteristics of the female body, which makes it possible to eliminate about half of the alcohol compared to that of men.

They must not drink alcohol (and therefore not even wine):

people who are about to drive a vehicle;
all those who take drugs capable of interacting with alcohol, for example antiepileptics and psychotropic drugs;
pregnant women;
children under 16. Why 16 years? Before that age, the enzymes capable of assimilating alcohol are completely absent. These enzymes reach full maturity around 21 years of age.

The benefits of wine on the heart and brain

Having made this premise and according to what is supported by the extensive scientific literature available, wine is good for the body and above all for the health of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system. It also seems to have the power to extend life; several epidemiological studies have in fact shown a greater longevity in moderate wine drinkers compared to abstainers and heavy drinkers.

Numerous clinical and epidemiological investigations have emphasized the protective action of wine against the heart and vessels. Those responsible for these benefits are i polyphenols, in particular the resveratrol. However, not all wines are the same; antioxidant foods are in fact present above all in aged reds, much less in young wines and whites.

The components of the wine act at various levels:

have an antioxidant and anti-aging effect;
they have a positive effect on cholesterol, triglycerides and basal blood sugar;
they induce an increase in the sensitivity of the tissues to the action of insulin;
they have a fibrinolytic and antithrombotic action.

A protective role of wine has also been hypothesized against Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Also in this case the credit would go to antioxidants and in particular to resveratrol.

The benefits of wine on other organs

But the benefits of wine don't end there.

Moderate wine intake appears to have a beneficial effect on bones, counteracting osteoporosis in both men and women. Some studies have hypothesized a positive effect of white wine in the prevention of rheumatic diseases; this benefit would be due to two substances - shot alone e caffeic acid - able to counteract inflammation.

Benefits of red wine have also been hypothesized on gallbladder stones and some types of cancer. We just have to wait for further studies for a possible confirmation.