Red wine: health benefits and harms

Red wine is one of the oldest drinks in the history of mankind. In total, there are more than 4.5 thousand varieties of it in the world. And they all contain tannins, responsible for its spicy aroma, and resveratrol, which provides its healing properties.

What is the difference between red wine and white

Many believe that the answer to this question is obvious. The main difference is the color, that is, in a broader sense, the shade of the raw material from which this drink is made. But in practice the situation is different, although to obtain red wine most often we need berries of red and black grapes, but how they are used also plays a role. The fact is that in many cases white wine is also produced from varieties with a red peel like Pinot gris. And for champagne they take, in addition to Chardonnay, such varieties officially approved by the rules as Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, that is, black varieties.

So, in practice, red wine from white is distinguished by the features of the technological process, that is, by the method of converting berries into a noble drink. The process of making red wine is much more complicated. Obtained in the usual way, grape must is not saturated, since the pigment is contained in the skin. Therefore, for the production of red wine, the flesh of the grapes is processed together with the skin to give the drink the necessary color. A spin is done after fermentation.

Which wine is healthier - white or red

There is no single answer to this question. Each species has its own advantages. But in general, it is believed that since grape peel rich in resveratrol and tannins is used in the production of red wine, this drink is of great value for the cardiovascular system and metabolism.

Composition and calorie content

The energy value of different varieties of the drink can vary significantly. On average, it does not exceed 121–125 kcal per 100 ml. The carbohydrate content is 4 g per volume.

Red wine has many useful elements. It is enough to note that 100 ml of the drink contains 10% of the daily requirement for manganese, 5% of the daily norm of potassium and 4% of magnesium. In addition to these elements, it contains the already mentioned tannins, resveratrol, B vitamins and even iron and phosphorus.

What is useful red wine

For women

Many women are afraid to drink alcohol, as it is believed that this increases the risk of cancer. However, studies have shown that this does not apply to red wine. On the contrary, the special substances contained in it lower estrogen levels and increase the amount of testosterone in women during menopause. This significantly reduces the risk of developing malignant breast tumors.

And, of course, women will be interested to know that red wine, used as an external remedy, has gained popularity in cosmetology.This drink improves skin tone, helps get rid of minor cosmetic defects, and slows down the appearance of wrinkles. But not all varieties of the drink are equally useful. For example, for dry skin, sweet and semi-sweet wines are recommended that will nourish it.

For men

An important property of red wine is that it protects against deposits of bad cholesterol that can form on the walls of blood vessels. This problem is most often encountered by representatives of the stronger sex, in whose blood there is a large amount of low density lipoproteins. Under the influence of the substances that make up the drink, high density lipoproteins are produced - this is the basis of "good" cholesterol. This reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. But all this applies only to the use of wine in scientifically sound quantities.

Many scientific studies also prove that resveratrol and other components of red wine have a positive effect on cognitive abilities and memory. Of course, this drink cannot be considered an independent medicine against Alzheimer's disease, but as part of complex therapy, it can be useful even in this case.

During pregnancy

Although WHO experts believe that any drinks containing ethanol, including red wine, are prohibited during pregnancy, many national health organizations take this issue more softly. In particular, they cite scientific studies that prove that natural red wine raises hemoglobin levels. This is very useful for expectant mothers. Some studies have even shown that this has a good effect on the development of the child.

But no matter what the future mother decides, she should not drink wine until the 17th week of pregnancy. Yes, and in the second and third trimester you can not drink more than 100 ml in one day.

When breastfeeding

In many cultures, including the Slavs, it is believed that red wine is necessary for lactation, as it increases the amount of breast milk. In fact this is not true. The amount of breast milk depends on two hormones - oxytocin and prolactin. Moreover, under the influence of red wine, prolactin production doubles, but milk is not excreted in increased amounts due to the fact that this drink reduces the production of oxytocin. So red wine has almost no effect on breastfeeding.

However, this does not mean that the nursing mother should completely abandon him if she has, for example, a feast. You can afford up to 100 ml of red wine, but you need to feed the baby just before you drink it. Then, by the next feeding, alcohol will have time to get out of the body, including milk.

For children

Many believe that children should not be given alcoholic beverages. Although there are studies by Boston doctors that the early use of wine under the control of parents significantly reduces the risk of alcohol dependence in the future.

Currently, each family independently decides whether to introduce the child to the culture of alcoholic beverages. However, in some cases, red varieties for children are used for medicinal purposes. For example, literally 2 tbsp. wines per day are considered an excellent remedy for anemia. This drink is also used to gargle with angina. It is only necessary to carefully monitor that the child does not drink too much wine.

For weight loss

Recent scientific studies prove that red wine promotes harmony. Quercetin, resveratrol, and other elements contained in it, help to disperse the metabolism and slow down the growth of fat cells. Of course, this applies only to dry wine, which contains a minimal amount of carbohydrates. And in any case, it can not be considered a panacea and the only way to lose weight, refusing to diet and exercise.

Red wine in medicine

Now, official medicine looks at red wine more favorably. After all, data from scientific studies constantly appear confirming the therapeutic properties of the drink in case of cardiovascular pathologies, problems with the central nervous system, even with caries. Below we will consider options for its use in various diseases.

With diabetes

An analysis of the chemical composition of the drink shows that the concentration of substances such as polyphenols is high in red wine. They allow you to regulate blood sugar. Studies have shown that drinking (within medical limits) this drink can slow the development of type 2 diabetes. The daily norm in this case is one glass of Cabernet or Merlot for a woman and twice as much for a man. The therapeutic effect of the drink is explained by the fact that the amount of polyphenols in one glass of the drink corresponds to the content of substances in a daily dose of widely used pharmaceutical antidiabetic drugs.

However, it should be noted that this drink has no effect on type 1 diabetes.

Important: the glycemic index of red dry wine - 36 units, red semi-dry wine - 44.

With pancreatitis

The benefits of red wine for pancreatitis remains a controversial issue. On the one hand, there are studies that show that this drink contains many antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, there are cases when, even in small doses, alcohol caused unpleasant consequences. So red wine with pancreatitis can be drunk only in a very limited amount, not more than 200 g per month.

With gastritis

With this disease, only dry red wine is allowed to drink. However, the recommended dose is 100-200 g of wine once a month and not more often. The antioxidants contained in the drink help to normalize the condition of the gastric mucosa, but if the dosage is higher, this can lead to unpleasant consequences.

For the intestines

For a long time, wine was considered harmful to the digestive tract. However, at the moment it is proved that red wine in therapeutic quantities (no more than a glass daily) has a good effect on the intestines and digestive processes even without the need for a diet.

Participants in the experiment who regularly drank wine had better intestinal microflora composition than those who did not take alcohol at all. The level of C-reactive protein, which indicates inflammatory processes, also decreased. Moreover, this situation was observed even when drinking weak or diluted wine, which suggests that only the level of polyphenols, and not the ethanol content, is responsible for the beneficial effect on the intestines.

With gout

This disease is associated with impaired purine metabolism. Strong alcohol only exacerbates the situation. But dry red wine strengthens the body's natural defenses and increases hemoglobin levels. So doctors allow the use of this drink with gout, but no more than twice a week and no more than a glass. In this case, neither before nor after this drink can not eat fatty meat dishes.

With colitis

This disease is inflammatory in nature, but the reasons for its development have not been established. Some experts believe that red wine containing antioxidants has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. They recommend drinking it as a medicine for 2 tbsp. three times a day half an hour before meals. The duration of such a course should be no more than a month. However, this treatment technique has its opponents.

For the liver

Many people believe that alcohol is harmful in any form to the liver. But actually it is not. Studies have shown that very often the liver suffers precisely from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with metabolic disorders. This disease leads to overeating and obesity.But dry red wine is just struggling with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. However, while American researchers believe that this allows you to drink up to 100 ml of drink per day, then Russian doctors believe that the optimal dose does not exceed 30 ml.

With hemorrhoids

With this disease, you can not drink strong alcohol, since the breakdown products of alcohol will injure the mucous membranes. For the same reason, you can not drink sparkling wines. But with dry red wine, the situation is completely different. You can drink 1 glass of red wine per week, but only during the period of remission.

With cholecystitis

With this disease, it is necessary to lower cholesterol and normalize the work of the hepatobiliary system (in particular the liver). An excellent remedy for this is dry red wine, but not more than one glass every two days.

With a cold

Red wine enhances immunity and helps get rid of colds, bring down heat and even defeat the virus. It is believed that the drink is useful even with bronchitis, flu and pneumonia, all the more helps with a common cold. However, this only applies to heated red wine with spices: these are drinks such as uzvar, punch or mulled wine, the recipe of which will be discussed below.

Does red wine raise or lower blood pressure?

It is known that almost any alcohol first helps to expand the vessels, and then causes cramping. For sweet red wines, this statement is also true. However, dry red wine acts a little differently if you dilute it with mineral water without gas by half. Then it dilates blood vessels, helps relieve spasms and lower blood pressure.

Recipes of traditional medicine based on red wine

1. An effective remedy is recommended for the treatment and prevention of colds and flu. To do this, dry wine, honey, aloe juice obtained from the leaves of the plant are mixed in equal amounts (you need to take the lower ones, they have more active components). This mixture is insisted for five days, and then taken before meals three times a day for 1 tsp.
2. For bronchitis, cahors can also be used instead of dry wine. For example, you can prepare a medicinal tincture based on 0.5 l of cahors, 250 g of fresh aloe leaves, the same number of walnut kernels, 5 lemons, 800–900 g of honey. It is not necessary to peel the peel from lemons, but the seeds should be removed. These fruits, along with aloe and nuts, are passed through a meat grinder or blender, then they are thoroughly ground with honey and cahors. The product is stored in a glass container in a dry and dark place. For disease, it is recommended to take 1 tbsp. three times a day before meals (adults) or 1 tsp. - children under 12 years old. Some variations of this recipe suggest adding as much fat to the mixture as honey (for example, melted goose fat).
3. Red wine will help relieve puffiness. To do this, prepare the following tool. Take about 20 branches of fresh parsley, 100-150 g of flower honey, 1 liter of red dry wine. Parsley first need to pour vinegar, boil, then add honey, wine and bring to a boil again and keep on low heat for 5 minutes. Then cool, strain, pour into a bottle. You need to take it three times a day, 30 ml after a meal.

Red wine in cosmetology

This drink is widely used not only in spa resorts and in factory cosmetic masks, creams and mousses, but also in simple home remedies that can be easily tested using only improvised products.

For face

Red wine is considered an excellent way to maintain youthful skin. On its basis, various masks are made, the ingredients of which are selected taking into account the specific situation. For instance:

1. Universal mask for all skin types: 2 tbsp. dry red wine is mixed with one raw protein and evenly applied to the skin. The mask is washed off after 10 minutes, and the face is wiped with an ice cube.
2. Mask for mature skin. Separately, the infusion is prepared: 2 tablespoons are taken per 100 ml of strong natural red wine. dry rose petals. The tool is insisted in the refrigerator for 5 days.Then use as needed. For example, 1 tbsp. this remedy can be added to a traditional mask of mashed boiled potatoes. The composition is applied to the skin for 15 minutes, then washed off with cool water.
3. Mask against acne and irritated skin. Take a cucumber, rub on a fine grater, mix with raw protein of a chicken egg, add 1 tbsp. red wine and 1 tsp honey. All these ingredients are mixed, applied to the skin of the face, and then they are washed off with cool water in 10-15 minutes.
4. Red wine is added to a classic anti-aging oatmeal mask (2 tbsp. Ground flakes, the same amount of freshly squeezed orange juice and wine). The mask is left on the face for 10-15 minutes, then the composition is washed off with water at room temperature.

For hair

Red wine is also good for hair. Various masks are made on its basis. For instance:

1. Firming mask. Take 100 ml of red wine and 50 ml of burdock oil, mix, warm in a water bath, add the egg yolk (but only when the mixture cools down slightly so that the yolk does not have time to curl). The mask is applied to wet hair for 45 minutes, then rinse with regular shampoo.
2. Mask from seborrhea. Mix 1 tbsp. liquid sour cream and honey, add 50 ml of red wine and mix again. The product is applied to dry hair, left for half an hour, then washed off with shampoo.
3. Nourishing mask for any type of hair. Take 70 ml of dry red wine, add 3 tbsp. high fat cream, 2 tsp burdock or almond oil. All ingredients are mixed, heated in a water bath and applied to dry hair for an hour, then the product is washed off with shampoo.

But it should only be taken into account that masks based on red wine are not suitable for blondes, since the compositions need to be kept on the hair long enough, and the pigment partially manages to be absorbed.

Harm and contraindications

In large quantities, like any other alcohol, red wine can cause severe poisoning.

Red wine is contraindicated in people with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, with peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines. Also, it can not be used for coronary heart disease and in the presence of allergic reactions to grapes or its other components.

Red Wine Allergy Symptoms

Due to the high concentration of enzymes and the addition of herbs and fruits, red wine can cause allergies. In principle, its symptoms will be the same as for any other allergic reaction, including urticaria (red spots on the skin), redness of the eyes, dry cough, runny nose with clear discharge and severe headache. But in this case, signs such as stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion and even tachycardia can also be added. In any case, allergies should be given antihistamines, and if there are symptoms of difficulty breathing, call an ambulance.

How to choose and store wine

It is better to choose high-quality red wine not in supermarkets, but in specialized stores, where there is a much lower risk of running into a fake. Although French, Italian or Spanish wines are traditionally considered the best, many experts advise paying attention to the products of other wine regions from South America or New Zealand.

Before buying, you need to carefully study the information on the label. There must be indicated the producer, the region in which the grapes were grown, the year of harvest, as well as the percentage of alcohol content.

As for the storage of wine, in an ordinary city apartment a kitchen refrigerator is quite suitable for these purposes. Keeping it in ordinary cabinets is not recommended, since the storage temperature for any kind of red wine should not exceed + 24 ° C, otherwise it will simply oxidize. However, experts believe that the optimum temperature is still + 12 ° C and even slightly lower, although, of course, the process of noble aging of the drink will slow down a bit.

Some experts object to storing wine in the refrigerator. Indeed, through the cork smells of products can penetrate.But in general, it takes a lot of time, and if no one is going to keep a bottle here for several years, then the refrigerator is a good place.

Where to store wine is definitely impossible, it’s on the balcony, because there it is simply impossible to avoid temperature differences. Thus, regular heating and cooling of the liquid inside the bottle will occur, and the wine will expand or shrink, which will eventually damage the cork and lead to spoilage of the product. Not to mention the fact that in extreme heat, wine oxidizes. Freezing leads to a loss of original taste and smell. And the sun's rays are harmful in themselves, because under their influence in the drink sulfuric compounds are formed that adversely affect its taste.

For the storage of wine, environmental humidity is of fundamental importance, especially when it comes to wine with a traditional cork (many respectable manufacturers have replaced it with a polymer cork, but traditional wine companies continue to use natural material). To prevent the cork from drying out, the humidity level should be 70%. But at the same time, humidity should not be allowed to rise to 80%, as this will contribute to the appearance of mold.

Wine takes up quite a bit of space. But you still need to keep the bottles exclusively in a horizontal position so that the wine comes in contact with the cork and prevents it from drying out. If the cork dries, air will enter through it and the drink will deteriorate.

In addition, the wine must be protected from vibrations, since they accelerate chemical reactions, for old wines this is manifested in the dispersal of sediment.

Do not confuse the temperature of storage and supply of wine. These are completely different things. Strong red wine is best revealed at + 15-19 ° C, and light red wine - at 13 ° C. Only white wines and champagne can be cooled to lower temperatures.

How to check for naturalness

Unfortunately, when choosing wine in stores it is not always possible to check their naturalness. The only way available is to estimate sediment. As a rule, high-quality natural wines at the bottom of the bottle have a little sediment called tartar. At the same time, in no case should he completely fill the bottom. To check, take a bottle, direct it to the light, and then sharply turn the neck down and in the opposite direction. Natural quality wine has little sediment, but it is there and settles quickly. A poor-quality one either does not exist at all, or too much.

There is another way to check, but it is only suitable for home use. You need to take a little soda, pour a tablespoon of wine on top. A quality drink will turn grayish or take on a blue tint. A fake will not change color at all.

How to drink red wine

There are a number of rules that must be followed so that red wine is only beneficial.

Can I drink every day

There is no consensus among doctors as to whether it is possible to drink red wine every day. Although there are a number of studies, according to which the daily use of this drink can even be useful.

Most likely, in this case, medical standards related to the ethanol content in this drink (16 g per 150 ml) should be taken into account. In this regard, men are recommended to drink no more than two glasses of wine per day, and women - no more than one.

Can I drink on an empty stomach and at night

It is not recommended to drink wine on an empty stomach, so that the substances contained in it do not irritate the gastric mucosa. But doctors consider a glass of wine at night to be a good idea. And there are a number of reasons for this:

1. Red wine contains melatonin - the so-called sleep hormone, which allows the body to relax.It acts better than chemical sleeping pills.
2. The wine has a calming effect. One glass will help get rid of the stress suffered during the day, and from anxiety for tomorrow, and at the same time relax the muscles.
3. Dry red wine dilates blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure. It allows you to normalize your heartbeat and cope with tachycardia.

But all that has been said applies only to low-calorie dry wine, a glass of which contains 100–125 kcal. And you can’t seize this drink at night.

Can I drink red wine in fasting

Orthodox Christians in this matter can adhere to the requirements of the monastery’s charter, according to which only red wine can be consumed in fasting (the Cahors are best) and only on weekends, that is, on Saturday and Sunday. And this applies to all posts in the year, including Great and Christmas.

However, there is no indication of the exact amount that you can afford in a post. But most priests recommend limiting themselves to one glass.

In addition, it should be remembered that the monastic charter was written long ago, based on the traditions prevailing in Syria and Byzantium. In these countries, firstly, they drank wine only in a highly diluted form of water (approximately 1: 3). Secondly, in those conditions, wine made up for the lack of water and minerals, often served as a medicine. In modern conditions, the lack of fluids and vitamins can easily be replenished without wine, so many priests urge their parishioners to completely abandon alcohol for the duration of the fast.

How to eat red wine

Red wine is served with a variety of dishes. Much depends on the type of wine itself, its strength and bouquet. For instance:

1. Cabernet Sauvignon - the wine is quite strong, so it is not served with light dishes. Basically, it goes well with meat - for example, steak, stew of red varieties. Young Cabernet Sauvignon is served with pork dishes and Italian pasta. In addition, aged wine goes well with desserts based on dark chocolate.
2. Shiraz is served with meat dishes and fatty cheeses.
3. Merlot is considered a good choice for simple dishes. This wine is considered the best complement to meat dishes, sausages, various legumes (for example, it can be served with stew from beans or lentils). It goes well with semi-hard cheeses such as Cheddar and Gouda. And this is the rare case when red wine is combined with fish, but only with salmon or tuna.

The traditional approach here is this - the taste and aroma of wine should not dominate the taste of the dish. Therefore, red wine with its velvety notes is considered a good addition to meat.

Is it possible to mix white and red wine

It is believed that different types of alcohol cannot be mixed. However, in reality it all depends on the conditions under which this alcohol is consumed. So, if it comes to tasting, then you can not mix red and white wine in any case, otherwise no taste and aromatic shades can be distinguished. But if we are talking about a meal with a change of dishes, then a glass of white wine may very well be replaced by a glass of red.

Many people think that such a mix will only exacerbate a hangover. But in fact, this is not entirely true. Indeed, red wine contains more tannins, and after its use the hangover will be more pronounced than if a person drank only white wine. But if we are talking about a very small amount of alcoholic beverages, this difference will hardly be felt.

How to get a red wine stain

There are several ways to remove such a stain. If it is completely fresh, then you need to pour it with hot water, acidified with table vinegar or citric acid until it disappears completely.

Another popular way to clean a stain is to slightly moisten this piece of fabric and sprinkle it with fine salt, gently rubbing it into the fibers of the fabric. Salt gruel will absorb the pigment in itself, and it can be removed with a damp cloth. And then the thing is washed in the usual way in a car or manually.

How to make red wine mulled wine

Mulled wine based on red wine is a classic version of this drink. To prepare it, you need 750 ml of red wine, 100-150 g of sugar (brown is better, but white is also suitable), 1 stick of cinnamon (1 tsp.powder of this spice), 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg, 10 pcs. cloves, 1 medium-sized orange. Lemon, apple, honey or ginger are ingredients that are optional and added to taste.

In the cooking process, they act as follows:

1. Wine is poured into a metal pan and heated over low heat.
2. Add the sliced ​​orange. You can cut a half of an orange, and squeeze the juice from the other half.
3. Sugar and prepared spices (including grated ginger) are added, mixed thoroughly, watching how the sugar dissolves. If you plan to add honey, then the amount of sugar is reduced. Some experts believe that it is better to add spices gradually, especially if there is no certainty that such a quantity will appeal to households.
4. When the sugar has melted completely, cover the mulled wine pan and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

After that, the drink is poured into mugs or special glasses with thick glass walls. If apples are used for mulled wine, then they are not boiled with wine, but cut into cubes and put on the bottom of the glasses. Then they are soaked with wine and spices, but at the same time they retain freshness and remain crispy.

Popular red wines

The most popular red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. His homeland is France, the wine region of Bordeaux. The history of the drink has more than three centuries. However, at present it is also produced in Australia, Italy, Canada, the USA, Chile and other wine-growing regions. It is based on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety.

However, there are so-called blended wines that are made from a mixture of several varieties. For example, it may be Cabernet Blanc and Cabernet Franche grapes. Such wines can withstand 10-15 years, during which time they acquire aromas of oak bark and coffee, chocolate or tobacco notes. Cabernet wine of 3–7 years old is considered young. It has a lighter fruity aroma with plum, cranberry, raspberry notes.

Another popular red wine is Merlot. The homeland of this wine is also considered France, although you can find an American, Chilean or Italian counterpart, and moreover, of excellent quality. This is a lighter wine than Cabernet Sauvignon, its taste is considered less tart and rich.

Shiraz wine made from dark Sirah grapes is popular. This is a more modern drink, which appeared relatively recently in relation to the two varieties listed above. Nevertheless, Shiraz is a very aromatic, strong wine that cannot be mixed with anything else.

Today, Shiraz is produced not only in France, but also in Australia, where this wine is especially popular. There are certain standards for this variety, but this wine, like no other, is affected by the condition of the soil on which the grapes grew, climatic conditions and especially fermentation. So the taste of wine can be fundamentally different for producers.

Another popular red wine is Cahors. Moreover, it exists in two varieties. French Cahors is a dry red wine. But the Cahors, which is produced in the post-Soviet space, is a drink made from a wide variety of grapes, which is notable for its rather high sugar and alcohol content, often has a sweet chocolate flavor.

Interesting facts about red wine

Red wine is a drink known since ancient times. And all this time, winemakers are improving the technology of its production, and scientists are studying its properties. Interesting facts about red wine should be known to everyone who appreciates this drink:

1. Red wine has a beneficial effect on the body. As a medicine, it was used in ancient Egypt and ancient Greece.Hippocrates believed that red wine is an excellent diuretic and antiseptic, and modern research has confirmed that it is right.
2. The oldest bottle of this drink dates back to 325 CE She was found near the German city of Speyer. Currently, you can see it in the historical museum of the Palatinate.
3. In ancient Rome, there was a ban on women consuming red wine. Initially, the spouse even had the right to kill his wife who violated this ban. Fortunately, then the law was softened, and the offender was already threatened with a divorce, not the death penalty. It is believed that a kiss was invented in ancient Rome in order to check whether a woman drank wine or not.
4. Fermentation of red wine takes from 3 months to 5 years. White wine does not pass the fermentation process.

Photo of red wine