(PCM) Go ahead and pour yourself another glass of red wine! Here are five amazing reasons to indulge:
1. It relieves stress. While you don’t want to become dependent on alcohol, a little bit of wine in moderation (whether it’s once a week or once a day) can help reduce stress levels. A French study found that women who drink a little wine each day experience less stress than those who never drink a drop, or those who drink too much. The recommended amount is one glass of wine, or 5 ounces.
2. It protects your breasts! According to a study from the Cedars-Sinae Medical Center, red wine contains unique chemical compounds that slightly lower your estrogen levels while raising testosterone levels, which reduces your risk of breast and other cancers. However, drinking more than 1 or 2 drinks per day increases the risk of breast cancer.
3. It may lower risk of heart disease. Recent research suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease, including lower risk of heart attacks, due to resveratrol and other anti-oxidants in wine. Resveratrol has also been found in studies to lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).
4. It helps block fat storage. Researchers from Purdue University found that piceatannol – a compound found in red wine similar to resveratrol – can help block fat cells from growing! Additional research on resveratrol has found that the compound may prevent fat accumulation and reduce insulin resistance, which lowers the risk of diabetes.
5. It’s good for your brain! Resveratrol has been reported to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It’s even been shown to increase lifespan in animal studies.
So go ahead, pour yourself a glass of wine! Just watch your portion size!
More:
No Time for the Gym Today? Pour Yourself a Glass of Wine!
Study Suggests Moderate Drinking During Early Pregnancy May Be Okay
