A Glass of Wine a Day Can Keep the Doctor Away: Five Surprising Health Benefits of Red Wine
Scientists have come out with a great deal of research touting wine's health benefits - everything from improving cognitive function to helping against arthritis.
Having more than one alcoholic drink a day can cut your lifespan by 30 minutes.
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red wine
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It can prevent you from gaining weight.
A compound found in red wine (along with grapes, peanuts, and other fruits) blocks the processes that allow fat cells to develop. The compound, piceatannol, which is converted from resveratol, prevents immature fat cells from developing. Researchers believe that it can help prevent weight gain, and can possibly prove to be a helpful ally in the fight against obesity.
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It can boost your lifespan...kind of.
A compound called resveratol increased lifespan in mice. Unfortunately, just drinking red wine may not help you live forever. The amount of red wine tested on the mice would have been equivalent to 100 glasses of red wine a day. Researchers hope to create synthetic resveratol pills.
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It may prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Georgetown University are currently in the process of studying whether a compound in red wine - the miracle resveratrol - can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown its benefit on animal models, but this study is testing its prowess on people with mild to moderate dementia. They will be given 1,000 mg of resveratrol, the equivalent of 1,000 bottles of wine a day.
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Bonus: It can help keep bedbugs from biting you.
Bedbugs are everywhere nowadays, it seems, and the bites, while mostly harmless, are extremely itchy. But one study found that bedbugs preferred feeding on people who are sober over people who'd had a glass or two before bedtime. In addition, if bed bugs don't eat well, they lay fewer eggs.
Wine is the most popular drink for women in the United States, and the second most popular drink overall. Encouragingly, scientists have come out with a great deal of research touting its health benefits as well - everything from improving cognitive function to helping against arthritis. While most of this research is still in its infancy, it is always a welcome reprieve from the doom-and-gloom that daily life and other analysis can sometimes bring. Here you'll find a list of some our favorite studies about which Medical Daily writers have written. Just remember - the benefits are for wine in moderation, so don't go overboard!
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