What type of red wine is good for you？

You have, at some point in your life, probably heard the saying that one glass of red wine a night is good for the health. Luckily, this is not a complete falsehood – more and more research has been coming out to show that red wine really can be beneficial to your health.

At a conference in 2012, researchers from the University of Leicester presented their results from a study done on mice that showed that the equivalent of two glasses of red wine daily resulted in a 50% lesser likelihood of developing cancerous tumors.

This is not the only way that red wine can have a positive impact on your health. Studies have shown that certain types of red wines can also lower your cholesterol, protect your heart, control blood sugar, protect your brain against Alzheimer’s or dementia, fight off a cold, stop cancer, and lose weight. The image below states some more of the health benefits.

Despite this, not all red wines are equal. Certain wines possess more superior health benefits for others. Many people speculate on what the reason behind this phenomenon is, and scientists seem to not be completely certain about what it is about red wine that makes it good for the body.

Things to look for in red wines

When shopping for a red wine with the most health benefits, this article claims that, generally, there are three things to keep an eye out for.

1，The wine must be “dry” – meaning it can’t be too sweet and should have little to no carbohydrates.,

2，The wine should have a lower alcohol percentage; ideally, it should have 12.5 ABV (alcohol by volume) at the most.

3，Finally, the wine should have a higher polyphenol content, especially procyanidins. For a definition of procyanidins, and an overview of its health benefits, check out this site.

When looking into which types of wine, specifically, are better than others, people seem conflicted. It is easy to find dozens of lists online that compare the health benefits of all different kinds of red wines. However, there are a few that are consistently mentioned as advantageous. The most common wines that are good for health are Pinot Noir, Cabernets, Syrahs, Merlot, and Madirans,

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noirs have been found to consistently have the highest concentration of resveratrol. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic antioxidant that has many health benefits, including protecting against Alzheimer’s, preventing insulin resistance, protecting against diabetes, and preventing cancer cells from spreading. When purchasing Pinot Noirs, it is best to look for wines that are sourced from smaller and more old-fashioned vineyards, as their wines are aged better and have higher concentrations of resveratrol.

Cabernets

Cabernets are known to have high concentrations of procyanidins, which provide benefits for inflammation and blood clots, and improve blood flow. There have been multiple studies over the years that link Cabernets to a higher longevity.

Syrahs

Syrahs, also sometimes called Shiraz, depending on how they are produced, are beneficial because of the high levels of procyanidins that they have. They are not specific to any particular region, and are known to be flavoured with black currents. As they have the same health benefits as Cabernets, due to the high levels of procyanidins, and flavor-wise, Syrah is known to be dry, heavy, and spicy.

Merlot

Merlot is similar to Syrahs, and also contains high levels of procyanidins, but is made with blue-coloured grapes, and is a rather medium-bodied wine. Merlots from Sardinia and southwestern France are recorded to have the highest concentrations of procyanidins, and also have a longer longevity.

Madirans

Madiran wines are, like Cabernets, known for their concentration of procyanidins. As mentioned, this means that Madirans improve cardiovascular health. Researchers of a study published in the journal “Nature” in 2006 found that the type of grape as well as the traditional production method of Madiran wines from southwestern France were to blame for the high concentration of procyanidins.

Recommendations

If you’re looking to purchase a red wine that has some added health benefits, but aren’t sure where to start, check out this website! It features a breakdown of the different types of wines that are beneficial to your health, and provides recommendations for each kind. Their recommendations are particularly useful for shoppers who are on a budget.

If you’re looking for more information on the topic, check out this book review on a book titled The Red Wine Diet: Drink Wine Every Day and Live a Long and Healthy Life.

Too much is still bad!

Although red wine does have many health benefits, drinking it – or any alcoholic drink – in excess will still be detrimental to your health. Experts say that the right amount of red wine to consume daily is around one glass, paired with a meal that is high in both vegetables, has a side of fish or meat, and has carbs.

If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends and leave a comment below telling us how you feel about drinking wine for its health benefits, and what kind of red wine you prefer!