Health Benefits Convincing Beer Drinkers To Switch Over To Wine

Alcohol Consumption

Human beings have been drinking fermented beverages for thousands of years now. There have been numerous debates about the pros and cons of drinking alcohol on a regular basis. Consuming alcohol can be good as well as bad for you. The most important factor in determining whether alcohol is being consumed as a tonic or as a poison is the dosage.

Uncontrolled drinking can be a cause of preventable death. It can damage heart and liver and can also cause irreparable damage to an unborn child. Unrestrained drinking increases the risk of developing types of cancers such as breast cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer. The main ingredient of alcohol, ethanol, affects our body in different ways. It affects the levels of lipids and insulin in the blood and also influences the functioning of stomach, liver, gall bladder, and heart.

Consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period can lead to alcohol poisoning, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. It can cause respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and even death. Excessive drinking impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Drunk driving, falls, burns, drownings, and other incidents can lead to fatal outcomes.

The type of alcohol consumed can also have an effect on your health.

Popularity of Wine over Beer

There has long been a debate about which is better – wine or beer. Traditionally, most Americans have preferred beer over wine.

As per the poll, the popularity of beer has been steadily declining since 1992. When the poll was conducted in 1992, 47% of the people had said that they prefer beer and 27% had said that they preferred wine. The latest poll results indicate that 36% people prefer beer and 35% prefer wine.

The popularity of wine has shown a remarkable improvement. The shift is most pronounced in the younger generation which comprises the under 30 year olds. As per the poll conducted in 1992, about 71% of the under 30 year olds preferred beer whereas as per the latest poll, only 41% of the under 30 year olds preferred beer. The preference for wine in this age group rose from 14 to 24 percent during this time period.

Read More: Surprising Benefits of Red Wine

Health Benefits of Wine over Beer

About 200 years ago, an Irish doctor had observed that the cases of angina were much lesser in France in comparison to the number of cases reported in Ireland. He observed that even though the French diet was rich in butter and cheese, there were relatively fewer number of heart disease cases. This can be attributed to the high consumption of red wine in France.

The key benefits offered by moderate consumption of wine are listed below:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: Red wine, especially when consumed after a meal, offers much more benefits related to the cardiovascular system than any other form of alcohol. As per a study conducted by Swedish researchers, it has been found that moderate wine drinkers can cut their risk of premature death due to cardiovascular disease by about one third in comparison to teetotalers. Wine can cut the risk of cardiovascular disease owing to the fact that it has the property of dilating arteries, thereby increasing blood flow. This also lowers the risk of developing blood clots that often block the supply of blood to the heart muscles. Wine can also boost the levels of HDL or good cholesterol and lowers the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. Wine is known to contain phenols that are helpful in limiting the oxidation of LDL thereby preventing injuries caused by LDL to the arteries.

Wine Has Many Other Benefits Over Beer

• Reduced risk of developing cancer: Wine helps in preventing against various forms of cancer. The phenolic compounds found in wine help in restricting the growth of breast cancer cells. As per a study published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, phenols also suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. Another antioxidant found in wine, resveratrol, inhibits the growth of liver cancer cells. Resveratrol and another antioxidant found in wine – quercetin can suppress the growth of oral cancer cells. Moderate drinking of wine can boost an individual’s cancer fighting capabilities.

• Stronger bones: As per a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, drinking moderate amounts of wine can lower an individual’s risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder that is characterized by the thinning of bones due to a loss of calcium. As per the study, women, who were moderate wine drinkers, exhibited greater bone mineral density in comparison to non-drinkers. Another similar study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that bone mineral density was 12-16% higher in moderate wine drinkers in comparison to non-drinkers.
• Reduced risk of depression: As per a study published in the journal of BMC Medicine, it was found that drinking moderate amount of wine can lower the risk of depression. It was found that men and women who drank 2-7 glasses of wine per week were at lower risk of being diagnosed with depression.
• Anti-ageing properties: Researchers from the Harvard Medical School suggest that the compound resveratrol, found in red wine has anti-ageing properties. Resveratrol is found in red grape skin which is used for making red wine. Red wine also contains procyanidins, which are useful in keeping the blood vessels healthy.
• Reduced risk of developing dementia: Moderate consumption of wine can also lower the risk of developing dementia. Resveratrol, found in wine, helps in reducing the stickiness of blood platelets and keeps the blood vessels flexible and open. This ensures a good supply of blood to the brain. Moderate drinking of red wine can lower the risk of developing dementia by almost 23%.
• Resveratrol Content: Wine, particularly red wine, contains resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape skins. Resveratrol has been associated with various potential health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.
• Digestibility: Some people find that wine is easier to digest than beer due to its lower carbonation levels. For individuals who experience bloating or gas after consuming carbonated beverages, wine might be a more comfortable choice.

What is moderate consumption?

Experts have suggested that alcohol should only be consumed in moderation in a manner such that the health benefits outweigh the risks associated with alcohol consumption.

Read More: Health Benefits Of Beer

Each of these drinks constitutes about 12-14 grams of alcohol. Moderate drinking implies strictly restricting oneself to a single drink a day. For people who really like to drink, it becomes very difficult to draw a line.

While moderate drinking has numerous positives, the negative effects of heavy drinking can easily overshadow them. Moderate drinking too can disrupt sleep and cloud judgment. The spectrum of benefits and risks offered by alcohol consumption should be carefully analyzed before making it a habit.