Surprising Health Benefits of Red Wine

It is common to hear that red wine can be beneficial to your health. However, certain benefits are not praised as much as others. Here are the facts about red wine that you should know in order to select your red wine of choice.

Live Longer

Living as long as possible while also enjoying good well-being are something just about everyone strives for. The Journals of Gerontology published a study in 2007 that shows that those who drink wine moderately reduce their mortality rate by approximately 34 percent compared to those who regularly imbibe on spirits or beer. An additional study at Harvard Medical School confirmed these results and concluded that the resveratrol in red wine is responsible for this positive effect and that it has anti-aging benefits.

Boost Your Memory

When you have a better memory, this can also enhance your ability to learn. In the Journal of Neuroscience, a study shows that short-term memory can be improved thanks to the resveratrol in wine. In fact, it showed the ability to aid with faster hippocampus performance and an increased retention of words.

Enhanced Sexual Health

Research shows that red wine may be the only alcohol type capable of enhancing sexual performance for both men and women. For men specifically, it can reduce sexual dysfunction and boost testosterone levels. As women age or go through hormonal changes, they may experience feminine dryness and other issues with their sexual health. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine shows that red wine may increase blood flow and improve lubrication in women as well as heighten sex drive.

Better Eye Health

A study in Iceland focused on the potential benefits of red wine for eye health. This study, published on Medscape, looked at cataracts risk and compared to non-drinkers, those who consumed red wine moderately were shown to have a 32 percent lesser chance of developing this eye condition.

Improved Dental Health

Dental health is likely the last thing you think about when it comes to red wine. However, the polyphenols present in this wine are packed with antioxidants. Research shows that these can help to possibly prevent cavities by working to slow down the growth of bacteria in the mouth. The research determined that when it comes to eradicating the bacteria, red wine was most effective.

With this information, you can see that enjoying a glass of red wine can be a good thing. Like all things in life too much is not ideal, but with moderation, you may actually benefit your health.

Eileen O'Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out her Twitter @eileenoshanassy.