We say “Cheers!” as we clink glasses before taking a drink as a form of salutation – a gesture, or toast, meaning “to health and happiness”. While there is no definite proof of the origin of this phrase and gesture, it is said to have been an ancient tradition.

Wine, particularly red wine, has been extensively researched for its potential health advantages.

For hundreds of years, red wine has been a component of social, religious, and cultural gatherings. Monasteries in the Middle Ages thought that their monks lived longer because they drank wine on a regular, moderate basis.

‘’It’s uncertain whether there’s a correlation between drinking red wine and reducing overall heart attacks. However, antioxidants in red wine may improve levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol accumulation, which could explain part of the benefit.

If you have a family history of an alcohol use disorder, health care specialists do not recommend that you start drinking alcohol for heart advantages. Drinking too much alcohol can have a variety of negative effects on the body.

However, if you already consume a glass of red wine with your evening meal, doing so in moderation may help your heart.

What Role Does Red Wine Have in Heart Health?

Polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in red wine, may help protect the lining of blood arteries in the heart. Red wine contains a polyphenol called resveratrol, which has been studied for its health effects.

Resveratrol has been shown to help prevent blood vessel damage, lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), and avoid blood clots.

Resveratrol research, on the other hand, has provided conflicting results. According to several studies, resveratrol is connected to a reduced risk of inflammation and blood clotting, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Other research, on the other hand, found no effect from resveratrol in terms of avoiding heart disease.

To see if resveratrol reduces the risk of inflammation and blood clotting, more research is needed.

What are the Sources of Resveratrol?

The resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Red wine has more resveratrol than white wine since it is fermented with grape skins for a longer period of time.

It’s possible to receive resveratrol without drinking alcohol by eating grapes or drinking grape juice. Red and purple grape juices may share some of the same heart-healthy benefits as red wine.

Resveratrol can also be present in peanuts, blueberries, and cranberries. When it comes to heart health, it’s not yet known if eating grapes or other foods are more healthy than drinking red wine. The amount of resveratrol in red wine and diet varies greatly.

Supplements containing resveratrol are also available. However, adverse effects are unknown, and research suggests the body can not absorb most of the resveratrol in supplements.

How might red wine add other Health Benefits?

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating properties of red wine may contribute to its health advantages. Antioxidants help the body fight oxidative stress. Many diseases, including cancer and heart disease, have been linked to oxidative stress.

Fruits, nuts, and vegetables are just a few of the antioxidant-rich meals available.

Whole grapes and berries have more resveratrol than red wine, and because of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, receiving antioxidants from food is likely to be healthier than drinking wine.

To receive enough resveratrol, people may need to drink a lot of red wine, which may do more harm than good. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, however, red wine may be more beneficial than other alcoholic beverages.

Warnings

Red wine and other alcoholic beverages are still being examined for their possible heart-health advantages. Moderate drinkers, including red wine drinkers, appear to have a lower risk of heart disease.

However, research comparing moderate drinkers to non-drinkers may overestimate the benefits of moderate drinking because non-drinkers may already be suffering from health issues.

Several healthcare professionals do not recommend drinking alcohol solely to prevent heart disease. Alcohol is addicting, and it can cause or worsen other health issues. Following are the side effects of consuming more alcoholic beverages:

• Accidents, violence, and suicide 
• Many types of cancers
• Heart Failure
• High Blood pressure 
• Diseases of the liver and pancreas
• Stroke
• Obesity and weight gain

If you are going through any of the conditions, you should avoid alcohol completely:

• If you are pregnant
• Have a significant personal or family history of alcoholism
• If diagnosed with severe Liver or pancreas disease due to over alcohol consumption
• Ever had Heart Failure or a weak heart
• Taking certain prescribed medication

If you have doubts regarding the benefits and risks of alcohol, talk to your doctor about personalized suggestions.

If you currently drink red wine, keep it to a minimum. For healthy adults, that means:

• Women of all ages are allowed up to one drink per day.
• For men over the age of 65, one drink per day is permissible.
• Men aged 65 and younger may have up to two drinks each day. Because males weigh more than women and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol, the limit for men is higher.