Is Daily Glass of Wine Really Good for You? Myths and Reality

In a poll done in 2011 by the American Heart Association, one thousand adults were asked about the potential health benefits of red wine.  They found that 76% believed that drinking red wine was good for heart health, but only 30% actually knew what the recommended limits were.

So if you currently drink red wine, or have heard that it’s good for your health, it’s important that you are aware of the limits.

While scientific research has shown that wine does in fact contain healthy compounds, people unknowingly go overboard, and some even have adopted the attitude: it’s good for me.

The Heart Health Benefits Of Reservatrol

Both red wine and grape juice come from red grapes, and as such have some good things to offer.  They contain natural, and healthy antioxidants which include reservatrol and flavonoids.  Reservatrol studies have been conducted going clear back to the 1980’s, and the research actually has some promising findings.

Some of these include:

  1. Protection from free radical damage to the lining of the arteries
  2. Protection against leaky blood vessels inherent with age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy caused from diabetes, which can be a major cause of vision loss
  3. Improvement of mitochondrial function (energy produced by cells) and aerobic activity in mice


If the benefits of reservatrol are on your mind, you can just as easily get it from peanuts, grapes, and also berries, specifically blueberries and cranberries.  You can also find the same compounds in supplement form.

Additionally, some of the compounds contained in alcoholic beverages, such as reservatrol, may help to counteract blood clotting and reduce the risk of heart attack and/or stroke.  It should be clear though, that ongoing research is necessary to learn the specifics.

As far as moderation goes, the American Heart Association indicated consuming no more than two drinks per day for men, and 1 drink per day for women.  One drink is equal to 4 ounces.

For more information including guidelines set by the AHA, visit this link.

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