Primarily, red wine is a composite of different varieties of black grapes. The color of this wine can range from intense violets (which is the color of young wines) to brick red (the color of mature wines) and brown (the color of older wines). The processing of wine is a long story. But in simple words, red wine is made by crushing and fermenting dark-colored black grapes. The alcohol concentration in red wine is around 12% to 15%. 

Another type of wine has some subtle differences from organic wine. This wine is made from those grapes that are produced by following the principles of organic farming. Any use of chemicals or artificial fertilizers is discouraged. A glass of red wine has about 125 calories and about 3.8 grams of carbohydrates, without any cholesterol. 

Types Of Red Wine

There are different types of red wine, and each has a unique property of its own and contains certain individual elements. Some of the well-known ones are as follows. 

1. Syrah is also known as Shiraz. It is a spicy and hearty variety of red wine. But the flavors received from this are highly intense, and they have terrible longevity. 
2. Merlot is a soft wine, often taken by new wine drinkers. This variety is also popularly known as the ‘introducing wine’ as it is handled mainly by new drinkers. 
3. Cabernet is often said to be the World’s best variety of Red wine, and it undergoes oak treatment. 
4. Malbec is said to have originated from the French district of Bordeaux. The Malbec variety is often mixed with cabernet and Merlot to please those taste buds. 
5. Pinot noir variety is grown with much difficulty, and this is also the noblest variety of red wine grapes. 
6. Zinfandel is undoubtedly the most versatile wine grape variety. 
7. Sangiovese is an excellent choice for Italian-style cuisines. 
8. Barbera is not very popular, but it has attributes similar to Merlot. 

Potential Health Benefits 

Better Heart Health

Red wine is full of antioxidants that can increase the level of good cholesterol, also known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in our bodies. It can avert cholesterol build-up and prevent heart diseases. Polyphenols like resveratrol are also in red wine. It reduces blood clots and protects the inner linings of the blood vessels of the heart, and also protects them from possible damage. 

This resveratrol plays a vital role. It prevents immature fat cells from maturing. Another protein called sirtuin one, which protects the heart’s inflammation is also activated by resveratrol. It also promotes the overall health of the cells of the blood vessels. Red wine can also help in the dilation of arteries. It also enhances the regression of blood pressure. 

Red wine can be beneficial if considered as a diet supplement. But it should be consumed in moderate amounts as required in the diet. It can safeguard the heart from possible illnesses in the long run. It can also prevent age-related cardiovascular problems. Taking healthy dosages is very necessary as too much of nothing is very beneficial for us, and it can reverse any existing condition. So it is essential to consult your physician before trying anything new. 

Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Resveratrol and increasing good cholesterol levels also work effectively to lower harmful cholesterol levels. According to research, a glass of wine daily for four weeks can promote good cholesterol levels by 16%. But drinking wine to increase good cholesterol may not be an excellent idea. 

Reducing trans fat consumption and a moderate amount of exercise daily are better ways to keep cholesterol levels checked. Red wine can also help you if you have dark meat. Dark meat consists of certain harmful compounds and having a moderate amount of wine can prevent the release of those toxic compounds. 

Promotes Bone Strength

According to some studies, the resveratrol present in red wine can improve spinal bone density in people suffering from metabolic syndrome. It also suggests that it positively affects the bones as it stimulates the formation of mineralization. This compound also has some anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent weight loss. It, in turn, promotes the bone-forming cells. 

A glass or two of red wine can be a good substitute for drugs to prevent bones’ thinning in older women. Some say that post-menopause, a proper amount of wine consumption, can help women to maintain bone density in the long run. However, excessive alcohol consumption can affect the bones and promote fractures. 

Fights Cancer

The resveratrol found in red wine has innumerable benefits. It can also kill pancreatic cancer cells by destroying the cells’ mitochondria, the central power production hub. Even doctors never prevent their cancer patients from having a moderate amount of wine. Resveratrol also has some intrinsic properties that destroy malignant cells and protect normal tissues from radiation’s ill effects. 

The pancreatic cells are also usually strong enough to resist the effects of chemotherapy. It powerfully pumps powerful digestive enzymes into the duodenum to get rid of the needed chemotherapy from cells. But the resveratrol present in red wine reduces the power of the cells to pump out the chemotherapy.

Prevent Obesity

Time and again, studies have proved that the resveratrol found in red wine can also burn body fat into calorie-burning fat. Along with red wine, having an antioxidant-rich diet can help our body to fight obesity. The oxidation of dietary fats quickens, which, in turn, stops the body from getting overloaded. The fat burns off faster as heat generation is more, and burning away of fat can prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction in turn. 

But another important thing to know is that only certain wine brands like merlot and cabernet sauvignon contain a certain amount of resveratrol in grapes. During winemaking, the insoluble polyphenols go through an extensive filter cycle, reducing their effectiveness. 

Red wine consumption can also lower the damaging effects of smoking on health. It reduces inflammation and slows down the aging process of the cells. Prevention of metabolic disorders in obese people is another boon received from red wine. But the limitation of wine consumption is significant as it can also have other side effects. 

The Bottom Line

The Federal guidelines and the American Heart Association (AHA) advise that consuming a moderate amount of wine is very important if someone chooses to consume wine at all. A glass or two per day for men and one glass for women is recommended. one must not consume more than that. A proper drink consists of about 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, and 1 to 1.5 ounces of spirits. Consuming this can be termed healthy drinking. The danger starts when you exceed that limit. Thus, consuming a moderate amount of red wine can be very beneficial for health in many ways, but over-drinking should be a strict no.