Wine and Wellness: Moderate Wine Consumption for a Balanced Lifestyle
Everything in moderation right? In a world where health and wellness are paramount, the idea of consuming alcohol when you have a wellness-focused lifestyle might seem counterintuitive. However numerous studies have indicated that when consumed in moderation (there’s that word again!) and within a balanced lifestyle, wine can offer certain health benefits.
- Raises HDL (good cholesterol)
- Reduces the formation of blood clots
- Helps prevent artery damage caused by high level of LDL (Bad cholesterol)
- May improve the function of the layer of cells that line the blood vessels[1]
Let’s dive into what is it in wine that makes the above benefits plausible. Have you heard of the French Paradox? Me either. “[It]…refers to the notion that drinking wine may explain the relatively low rates of heart disease among the French, despite their fondness for cheese and other rich, fatty foods. This theory helped spur the discovery of a host of beneficial plant compounds known as polyphenols.”[2]
Polyphenols are beneficial plant compounds with antioxidant properties that may help keep you healthy and protect against various diseases. These compounds can be found in red and purple grape skins (as well as many other nuts, fruits, and vegetables) which theoretically explain wine's heart-protecting properties. Polyphenols also include resveratrol, which is a compound that's heavily advertised as a heart-protecting and anti-aging supplement. Resveratrol can also enhance the function of blood vessels, improve circulation, and potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. All sounds great right?!
Well, you don’t have to drink red wine to reap the benefits of resveratrol, simply eating grapes or drinking grape juice might be a way to get resveratrol without drinking alcohol. Red and purple grape juices may have some of the same heart-healthy benefits of red wine but they aren’t going to the delicious flavor of wine and the experience you are looking for. When I say experience, I’m not just talking about the little buzz you get but there is something romantic about wine, about opening a bottle of wine with the right friends/family during a special occasion and geeking out over it: where you bought it, how long you’ve stored it, what the grape is, how it’s aged, the color, etc. These quality moments with people you care about while enjoying something you all bond over is the definition of connection. The benefits of connection are numerous and have a significant impact on our overall well-being. Just to name a few: emotional support, skill development, stress reduction, improved mental health, enhanced self-esteem, sense of purpose, increased happiness. There are even studies out there suggesting that moderate wine consumption can be associated with a lower risk of depression and cognitive decline.[3]
So really, there isn’t enough testing and evidence out there to prove that consuming wine is better for you than not consuming wine, however there are some health benefits if enjoyed in moderation. It truly comes down to balance and a healthy lifestyle. So, I’d say enjoy your wine but don’t overdo it and don’t forget to get enough sleep, exercise, meditate, and whatever else that is good for your soul and mental health.
[1] Mayoclinic.org Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?
[2] Harvard health blog Is red wine actually good for your heart?
[3] National Library of Medicine - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019227/
