Today there’s a growing amount of information about antioxidants in wine and how they are good for us. Antioxidants are molecules that are produced both inside and outside of our bodies. They prevent or slow down damage to our cells. Since cell damage can lead to diseases, accelerated aging and more, antioxidants are essential to our survival. Antioxidants prevent something known as oxidative stress, which is implicated in various conditions and diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and a decline in brain function. Oxidative stress will occur where there are fewer antioxidants compared to reactive oxygen species in the body. So, can drinking red wine from Underground Cellar help?
We’ve come across an interesting article about the antioxidants that are present in red wine that could help to improve your health. Let’s learn more:
Antioxidants in Red Wine:
There are a number of antioxidants in red wine, including:
Resveratrol:
Found in the skin of grapes, this antioxidant has been found to potentially produce HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol, and reduce the production of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body. It can also prevent blood clots. However, it is only available in wine in very small amounts.
Tannins:
These are antioxidants that are found in the skins and seeds of the grapes and may protect DNA and prevent microbial infections.
Quercetin:
An antioxidant that’s comes from the skin of grapes that have been exposed to the sun, it is found in red wines and studies have found that it might be useful in combatting allergies and boosting your immune system.
Catechin or Epicatechin:
A type of tannin that is found in the skins and seeds of grapes, human trials have found that this antioxidant was effective in lowering the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body while increasing the levels of good HDL cholesterol.
Proanthocyanidin:
A type of condensed tannin that is found in red wine, this antioxidant has been suggested to improve blood circulation, combat allergies, improve joint flexibility and prevent viral and bacterial infections.
How to Get the Benefits of Antioxidants in Red Wine:
While there is clear evidence to suggest that drinking red wine can be good for your health, it’s important to remember that it is an alcoholic beverage that should always be consumed in moderation. This is set out in the CDC guidelines of no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Since drinking too much wine could actually cause its positive health benefits and effects to be reversed and lead to a greater risk of health problems, it’s important to remember that moderation is key and that adding wine to your lifestyle and diet for health reasons is still not an exact science.
If you choose to drink wine, be aware that we are still unaware of whether or not the alcoholic content in the drink outweighs the antioxidant properties. But, drinking wine can also be very enjoyable – there’s much more to it.
