The wine market is projected to grow by 5.8% in the period 2020-2025, driven by increasing demand on a worldwide scale. Factors that contribute to the rising consumption include the perceived health benefits of wine, innovations in flavors, and accessibility due to developed distribution networks as well as changing tastes and new preferences. In addition to the social aspects of drinking, people also enjoy the taste, feel happy and less stressed. Drinking wine can have several health benefits serving as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating agent.

Drinking Wine is Easy and Emits Pleasurable Feelings

One of the major reasons why wine consumption is increasing is that it is easily accessible. In addition, it comes in many convenient forms from bottles and tetra paks to cans. Wine is also served in different sizes by glass, carafe, individual, standard (0.75l), and magnum (1.5l) bottles. Hence, you can responsibly consume the beverage how you like it, anytime, and on the go.

From a chemical point of view, alcohol stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as opioid peptide, serotonin, and dopamine. These natural brain chemicals give feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Opioid peptides reduce pain perception and is an anti-depressant while serotonin regulates mood and social behavior. It also adjusts appetite and digestion as well as sleep and memory. Dopamine, on the other hand, influences moods and feelings and is a hormone associated with happiness.

Wine Offers Several Health Benefits

Both white and red wine may be good for your health, but they possess different benefits to your body. White wine can improve heart health and may event prevent diseases. Researches indicate that it can improve cardiovascular and metabolic function. However, red wine contains more potent antioxidants known as resveratrol that look after blood vessels preventing blood clots. Resveratrol zaps bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol that is responsible for protecting the heart.

Although there are no official and conclusive recommendations, red wine consumed in moderation has positive correlation with cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, neurological disorders, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis. This is due to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid regulating effects of red wine consumption. Antioxidants which are found in many fruits, vegetables, and nuts are elements that protect your body cells from free radicals that are produced when your body breaks down food. Hence, they occupy a role in cancer, heart disease, and other disorders.

Lung health is one area where white wine has an advantage although both types can boost lung function. However, white wine has a greater positive impact on lung function over red and a study by the University of Buffalo confirmed this. Caffeic acid which may be responsible for the health benefits of white wine also offers endothelial protection lowering the risk of heart and kidney disease.

Red wine holds polyphenols which help fight the effects of premature aging. Consuming a glass or two of red wine can keep toxins at bay. Both white and red wines contain levels of silicon that enhances bone density reducing the incidence of osteoporosis, a condition marked by weak, fragile, and brittle bones. However, these levels are higher in red wines.

Whether you fancy red or white, researches and studies link wine consumption to some health benefits. However, excessive drinking can also cause catastrophic health consequences which makes it critical to consume wine in moderation to benefit from its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant characteristics.