If you have diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of developing certain health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This risk is much higher if your blood glucose levels aren’t properly controlled. And it’s not just heart disease or kidney disease — you’re also at risk of nerve damage, vision and hearing loss, and more. As we age, we become more at risk for developing chronic health conditions, like heart disease, cancer, cognitive problems, and more. But one way to reduce this risk is by making positive lifestyle changes — including incorporating more beneficial compounds into your diet, such as the polyphenols found in red wine. A review in 2022 explored the metabolic impact of resveratrol — one of the polyphenols in red wine — on obesity and insulin resistance.

• Those who drink regular, limited amounts of alcohol, including red wine, seem to have a lower risk of heart disease.
• Additionally, many teas may also contain high levels of sugar from sweetened milk, sugars, or syrups, which may not be the most hydrating for quenching thirst.
• The health benefits of red wine have been debated for some time.

For most people, enjoying red wine in moderation is safe, but it is important to keep in mind that drinking alcohol in excess is harmful. Drinks with a higher alcohol content — and therefore more potential to dry you out — include vodka, gin, rum, and whisky. Beer and wines, meanwhile, tend to have lower alcohol content, though fortified wines like sherry and Madeira pack a kick at above 14.5% alcohol. While a moderate amount of red wine may provide health benefits, consuming too much alcohol can cause devastating health effects. Moderate red wine consumption may reduce the dementia and depression. It may also increase insulin sensitivity and resistance to the COVID-19 virus.

Red wine contains powerful plant compounds and antioxidants, including resveratrol

One group had a glass of red wine each night with dinner, one had white wine, and the other had mineral water. All followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet without any calorie restrictions. Besides dehydration, alcohol can have other negative effects on the body. For this reason, a person should drink alcohol in moderation and avoid binge-drinking or chronic heavy drinking.

When storing wine at home, it’s best to keep it in a cool, dark, and dry place. The ideal wine storage temperature is approximately 55 degrees F, though the exact best temperature will vary depending on the wine. Store your bottles horizontally on a rack to ensure the wine cork remains moistened by the wine. Wine has many different varieties, depending on the grape it is produced with or the region in which the grapes were grown. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Other compounds contained in wine may help regulate how serotonin transmits within the brain, a mechanism that can malfunction in cases of mood disorders.

Potential Health Risks Of Red Wine

However, there are also some important negative aspects to consider, which are discussed below. Red wine has been linked with several other health benefits, many of which are attributed to its potent antioxidants. You would have to consume several bottles per day to reach the amount used in the animal studies. Many believe that a glass each day is a does red wine dehydrate you valuable part of a healthy diet, while others think wine is somewhat overrated. The polyphenols, which occur naturally in red wine, prevent the formation of certain proteins that create toxic plaques that can kill brain cells. These polyphenols can also lessen the plaque toxicity that is already present in the body, thus reducing cognitive decline.

That will increase your ability to reabsorb water, and leave you more likely to wake up feeling sparkling and ready to face the day — or at least less inclined to put a pillow over your head. Some cocktails can take a toll on your hydration because of additional ingredients. So that espresso martini or Irish coffee might end up making you need the bathroom. “Essentially, when you’re dehydrated, you’ll feel alcohol’s effects sooner and for longer,” Pfau says. A vodka with soda is likely more hydrating than just a shot of vodka because you’re consuming more fluids from the soda.

Reduces Cognitive Decline

Alcohol increases estrogen in the body, a hormone that can encourage the growth of cancer cells. The NCI links alcohol use with various cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, breast, and colon cancer. I know that alcohols are more volatile than water and that ethanol boils at only 78 degrees as opposed to 100 degrees Celsius for water. I could open the bottle of wine in the shade, even the shade from my own body, and I should be able to remove alcohol from the wine by letting it evaporate. Stoutz emphasizes the importance of hydrating before and during drinking, which can minimize how dehydrated you become.

In one review from 2016, researchers explored the potential benefits of dietary polyphenols on blood sugar control. They found that polyphenols may change the way the body digests and absorbs glucose, which may improve blood sugar level management. Every alcoholic drink goes “straight to your head,” or at least to your brain. Heavy drinking over a long time can shrink brain cells and lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and certain types of dementia.

Resveratrol in red wine

This can increase your BAC significantly if you don’t replenish your body’s supply with a few sips of water as you drink. Most of the calories in red wine come from alcohol, which provides seven calories per gram, and the remainder comes from carbs (2). This study is just one puzzle piece to help keep the “complexity of alcohol” in context with overall health, Petitpain says. Part of that is figuring out how much of the benefits come from alcohol and how much are from plant nutrients during the grape fermentation process.