from the publishers of: Verywell, Real Simple, EatingWell, Shape, Parents, Health and Allrecipes
Enjoying a glass of antioxidant-rich red wine can do much more than help you unwind after a long day. When consumed in limited quantities, drinking red wine can be surprisingly beneficial. To answer the age-old question of whether or not red wine is healthy, here’s what a dietitian and scientific research have to say about the known red wine benefits and how it can potentially impact your overall wellness.
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a standard drink of wine is 5 fl oz of 12% alcohol by volume (ABV) wine. The recommended daily drink limit for red wine (or any wine) is one 5-ounce drink for people assigned female at birth and two 5-ounce drinks for people assigned male at birth.
Popularly known for its heart-health benefits, drinking red wine can positively impact your health in other ways. From memory retention to dental health, let’s explore the various red wine health benefits that have been scientifically studied.
Despite containing natural sugars, red wine can help regulate blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. Drinking red wine may lower your blood sugar for up to 24 hours, which can be beneficial for those with higher blood sugar levels. While red wine shouldn’t be substituted for blood glucose management medications and treatment plans, it may be a helpful dietary addition in moderation.
Red wine is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help the body fight off disease, among other benefits. Resveratrol, a type of polyphenol found in red wine, may also help improve short-term memory. Recent studies show that resveratrol has the power to reduce damage caused by sleep deprivation, like memory deficits, and can boost your ability to learn and your cognitive processing functions.
Another surprising red wine health benefit is its ability to potentially lower the risk of dementia, a group of conditions that impact memory function (usually in older age). “Studies show that red wine consumption can reduce the risk of having dementia, which often leads to Alzheimer’s disease,” says nutritionist Sally Stevens, RDN.
The key, though, is drinking red wine in moderation, as heavier consumption can increase the risk. So it’s best to cap your intake around the recommended 5-ounce glass of wine per day.
Some studies point to red wine as potentially having the ability to reduce cancer risk by preventing the growth of cancerous cells, particularly those associated with breast cancer and esophageal cancer. That’s because resveratrol, a polyphenol in grape skin, can kill cancer cells, according to cancer researchers.
Polyphenol helps starve cancer cells by blocking the development of a critical protein that feeds them. “Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that can be found in grape skin and red grape juice,” Stevens explains. “Antioxidants help the body fight off free radicals that can damage our cells and organs.”
One of the most celebrated red wine benefits is its ability to potentially improve heart health. Consuming foods and beverages rich in polyphenols, such as red wine, has long been associated with reduced risk of heart disease.
Red wine has the power to protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart while also boosting HDL (or “good” cholesterol) which helps your body flush out “bad” cholesterol. (Bad cholesterol can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.)
“Drinking wine may help in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol,” Stevens says. “[High LDL] may cause artery damage.”
Red wine health benefits go even further, thanks to resveratrol once again. With vascular-enhancing properties, red wine may improve microcirculation in the eye. This process can help improve eye health and prevent eye-related issues such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, all of which contribute to vision loss.
Studies show that red wine may keep your mouth healthy. Data suggests red wine—specifically those beneficial polyphenols we’ve talked about so much—can fight off harmful bacteria in the mouth, which can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. By preventing the bacteria from sticking to teeth and gums, red wine essentially stops it from causing things like cavities or plaque.
Keeping our immune system strong against viruses is incredibly important, and red wine may have yet another promising perk in this department. One of its benefits includes immune-boosting properties thanks to its antioxidant content. “Wine contains high levels of antioxidants in the form of flavonoids, which can combat viruses,” Stevens says.
Those same polyphenols in red wine can help lower or control blood pressure. Studies have shown that systolic and diastolic pressure improved after consuming dealcoholized red wine (wine with alcohol content removed).
Red wine may also boost your microbiome or healthy gut bacteria. A healthy microbiome can prevent disease development, while an unhealthy microbiome can decrease your immune function, making you more susceptible to getting sick.
To gain the health benefits of drinking red wine, there are various kinds you can try. Remember, though, it’s important to drink wine (and alcohol) in moderation, as drinking too much will have the opposite effect on your well-being. Here are a few popular types of red wine.