Myths Associated With The Consumption Of Red Wine

For years, in the popular sphere it has been said that consuming red wine – specifically, one glass a day – could provide health benefits. For this reason, researchers have inevitably been curious and have decided, on several occasions, to study this drink in greater detail.

Studies carried out on the composition of wine and its effects on health have revealed that, despite what has come to believe, this is not such a healthy drink.

As with other alcoholic beverages, the consumption of wine has detrimental effects on health, especially when it is consumed regularly and in large quantities. This includes the famous glass of wine a day. You want to know more? Keep reading!

Red wine consumption and health

Often, people have come to believe that wine could be a beneficial drink for their health, since it is made from the fruit of the vine, grapes. If it comes from something ‘natural’, it could be good, right?

Although it comes from a natural element, such as the fruit of the vine, wine is not – by default – a ‘healthy’ drink. The process to obtain it is more complex than what we think, and it is not without some artificial additives, as explained by several experts.

Contrary to popular claims, having a glass of red wine a day  does not provide any health benefits or is recommended by doctors. Quite the opposite.

Let’s see what are the supposed benefits that are attributed to the consumption of red wine on a regular basis.

1. (Does not) help you lose weight

According to beliefs, red wine would have a very special property: it would activate a gene that would prevent the formation of new adipocytes. In addition, it would allow us to stimulate the existing ones, to ‘purify’ the fats and eliminate them, little by little.

However, there is no evidence that this drink helps to lose weight, even in patients who have a few extra pounds. On the other hand, there is evidence that its consumption can be very risky in case of obesity and coronary heart disease.

2. (Does not) ‘power’ the brain

Supposedly, given its flavonoid content, wine could ‘improve’ cognitive processes and, at the same time, prevent dementias and degenerative brain diseases and even reduce mortality. However, this has been shown to be untrue.

On the other hand, it is proven that moderate alcohol consumption can cause irreparable brain damage. 

Discover: Why Antioxidants Are Important

3. (Does not) treat gum infections

On the other hand, it was claimed that one drink a day could help treat gum sensitivity and infections. All this because it was considered that the grapes had compounds that, when fermented, prevented the appearance of streptococci and bacteria linked to cavities, gingivitis and even sore throats.

4. (Does not) increase our endorphins

As stated in the popular sphere, when drinking wine , we release endorphins, relaxing and enjoying the moment more. However, this has turned out to be a generalization of what is stated in the article published in the journal Investigation and Science.

5. (Doesn’t) fight cholesterol

Due to its content of polyphenols, one of them being resveratrol, it was considered that red wine was capable of providing antioxidants to take care of the health of blood vessels, which supposedly would help prevent the formation of clots and reduce the so-called ‘bad cholesterol ‘.

6. (No) it is an ally for heart health

In addition to the polyphenols already mentioned, in the popular sphere red wine was considered a recommended drink because it was said to contain vitamin E, which would help to ‘clean’ the blood, prevent clots and protect the health of the tissues of the vessels blood. However, this is nothing more than a popular belief.

Not even one drink a day?

Aitor Sánchez, nutritionist and author of My Limp Diet and Other Works, in an interview answers the question of whether it is advisable to drink a glass of red wine a day:

• ” Wine and beer ‘per se’ have no benefit in our diet even though it has been repeated ad nauseam.”
• On the other hand, there is a multitude of scientific evidence that the daily consumption of red wine and other alcoholic beverages – whatever it may be – is harmful to health. Even if it’s for ‘little cups’.
• The ideal is to maintain a healthy diet and sporadically drink a glass of wine or beer. Moderation in your alcohol consumption and diet is what will provide the health benefits, not that glass of alcohol alone.

Therefore, not even drinking just ‘a glass’ of red wine a day could we have better health. On the contrary, we would increase the risk of developing dependence, as well as suffering liver damage and other body systems, including the brain.