The answer to the question " Is wine healthy or unhealthy? " has been a matter of debate for many years. There are countless studies that claim both. To date, there is no definitive evidence for or against wine consumption that is truly scientifically sound. In this article, we would like to give you an overview of the most important arguments on both sides.

Table of contents

1. Too much alcohol is harmful
2. Wine and cardiovascular diseases
3. Antioxidants in wine
4. Wine and dementia
5. Wine and intestinal flora
6. Wine, beauty and age

Summary

Did you know?

For genetic reasons, women tolerate alcohol less well than men. This is because the enzyme responsible for breaking down alcohol is less active in women. The generally accepted formula is that women should drink no more than 0.15 liters of wine per day and men no more than 0.3 liters.

Numerous studies have found that moderate consumption of red wine - a glass a day - has a positive effect on the heart and circulation, is good for high blood pressure and protects against heart attacks. It is also said to reduce the risk of a stroke. Wine has a positive effect on the composition of blood fats and promotes the breakdown of harmful LDL cholesterol. Blood clotting and blood flow are improved, which reduces the risk of thrombosis.

Did you know?

In wine connoisseur circles, people often talk about the so-called "French paradox": Many French people consume significantly more calories every day than Germans or Americans. They smoke a lot, eat a lot of fat and drink a lot of red wine. Despite this, they suffer less from cardiovascular diseases. Some researchers believe that this is due to the high consumption of red wine.

Grapes contain numerous natural ingredients, including the so-called secondary plant substances or polyphenols. The most important representatives are resveratrol and anthocyanin, with resveratrol being one of the most important "capturers" of radicals. Researchers suspect that these antioxidants have a positive effect against cancer, premature aging, Alzheimer's and dementia. They are mainly found in the skin, seeds and stems of the grapes and are released into the wine, especially during the fermentation of red grapes. To date, not all polyphenols in wine are known, but there are probably others that are good for health.

Did you know?

The red grape varieties Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec contain the highest concentration of resveratrol. (You can find out more about the most important grape varieties here! )

The theory that wine drinkers are less likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's disease first emerged in 1997. In the years that followed, there were numerous studies on this question, all of which came to the same conclusion and only differed in the percentage figures. Wine proved to be particularly effective in this context when consumed in very moderate amounts.

It is probably common knowledge that millions of bacteria live in the human intestine and that numerous substances are produced there that are important for our brain function. Depending on the food we eat, some bacteria develop and multiply better than others. Some of them are also responsible for feelings of happiness. You can probably already guess: drinking wine promotes the bacteria that are responsible for feelings of happiness and also strengthens the immune system. So it is by no means just the alcohol that makes us feel better and more cheerful.

Quote

The ancient Greek writer and philosopher Plutarch is credited with the following quote about wine: "Wine is of drinks the most useful, of medicines the most palatable, of foods the most pleasant."

When measuring facial wrinkles, it was found that wine drinkers do not have as deep wrinkles as other people. This is most likely due to the polyphenols mentioned above, which slow down the aging of the skin. Ingredients in wine also have a positive effect on the follicles in the scalp that hold our hair in place, so that wine drinkers suffer less from hair loss. In relation to aging, a study found that a good diet, avoiding excess weight and plenty of exercise delay the aging process and the effect of these factors is even improved - if wine is also consumed in moderation.

Quote

A fitting saying that you should not consume too much wine in order not to endanger your health comes from Theodor Heuss, the first Federal President: "Drinking wine is a sin. Drinking wine is praying. Let us pray."