Despite some things that are absolutely bad for our health, the key to pretty much everything is moderation. Wine is a topic that is still widely debated. Large amounts of alcohol are indeed known to be harmful, but what about the touted healthy glass of wine before bed? Are there benefits of drinking red wine before bed?
The short answer is yes, there are some benefits to drinking red wine before bed. Red wine contains antioxidants, among other compounds, that can improve health, increase dopamine, and induce sleep. But there are also some issues if you drink too much too regularly.
We are not doctors, scientists, or experts. Our goal is to help provide interesting information that is widely available. Always talk to your doctor to find out what diet and regiment are best for your body.
Now that we got that out of the way, are you ready to learn more about the benefits of drinking red wine before bed?
A Glass a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Throughout history, wine has sat on a balance scale of good and evil. Yet, even 5,000 years ago wine was consumed for medicinal purposes.
It still reigns true that the almighty grape supplies robust nutrients. Rich in antioxidants, Wine contains many body-boosting phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, like polyphenols, flavonoids, and piceatannol. These can improve our mental and physical well-being.
In the wild, plants produce toxic chemical compounds to protect themselves from predators. Rather than being toxic to humans, these compounds improve our health. Grapes like other berries, peanuts, and cacao offer numerous nutrients that improve our health.
Author Note: Most wineries take measures to produce fewer grapes that have more concentrated flavors. This also means an increase of nourishing elements ends up in our glass.
Drinking a five-ounce glass of red wine before bed can benefit you. Practice moderation as it is known that too much alcohol can be harmful and even interrupt your sleep. A study on Alcohol and the Sleeping Brain shows that large amounts of alcohol can lead to disrupted poor quality sleep.
Red Red Wine
As you know, not all wine is equal. Wines vary in so many ways, but how does that apply to our health?
Red wine is made by allowing broken grape skin, seeds, and stems to soak in the grape juice, called maceration. The skin not only gives a wine its color and tannin, but it also stores the majority of a grape’s healthy attributes. Common red wines include cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, petit verdot, and pinot noir.
White wine is typically filtered early in the winemaking process and so the same nutrient does not end up in your bottle.
If you want greater benefits from your bedtime glass of wine opt for red. Look for very tannic wine that is very dark red in color. Bitter wines tend to have a higher percentage of beneficial compounds and less sugar.
It is better to choose wines with low alcohol (less than 10% ABV is best) and residual sugar.
5 Benefits of Drinking Red Wine Before Bed
As we’ve mentioned, while too much wine can be harmful, research is continuously uncovering the health benefits of a glass of wine before bed. There are many ways red wine will help you live a long healthy life.
Below are five reasons you should consider having an occasional glass of red.
1. Drinking Wine Before Bed May Induce Sleep
Everyone has a unique bedtime ritual to prepare for a rejuvenating night’s sleep. Some watch tv or take a hot bath. Others relax by reading or enjoying a nightcap.
Author Note: There are calming benefits of drinking red wine before bed. Many studies have shown that wine contains hormones like melatonin that improve sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that is considered to aid in falling and staying asleep.
Drowsiness is also brought on when alcohol increases the effects of GABA in your brain. GABA is a chemical messenger that blocks signals in your body that control behavior and emotion. It lowers your energy level and helps you decompress.
Choosing the right wine will maximize your restful benefits. Wines like Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese often have greater amounts of melatonin than other varietals.
2. Drinking Wine Before Bed May Improve mental Health
Having a glass of wine after a stressful day is a common activity by many who want to kick off their shoes and relax. We will show you why wine can help you get your mind right before bed.
With depression rates on the rise, most of us could use a little mental boost to help us navigate the current pandemic. Studies have shown that moderate wine consumption may reduce depression and anxiety. Mental state can have a huge impact on our quality of sleep.
A glass of red wine provides stress relief and improves mood. Alcohol activates taste receptors releasing dopamine, the so-called pleasure hormone. Dopamine affects our mood, memory, and feelings of pleasure.
Another key ingredient in red wine, called resveratrol, is a plant-based compound found in grape skins. This polyphenol has been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the brain that induces stress.
Wine flavanols contribute to increased blood flow to the brain and the prevention of harmful plaque. This helps keep your memory sharp.
Wine is also connected to sharper memory and long-term mental health benefits. Some studies have shown a glass of wine per day could lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Alcohol and resveratrol may lift your spirit. However, If too much alcohol is consumed it can have a reverse negative impact on your emotions. Most research tells us that a little red wine can provide short-term relief, but it should not take the place of clinical depression treatments.
3. Drinking Wine Before Bed May Increase Immunity and Prevent Diseases
Sleep quality is known to affect our immune system, but what we do before bed can improve our health too. Go ahead and get your glass out and we will tell you why.
Red wine has health-boosting antioxidant properties that may reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, like colon, breast, and prostate.
Antioxidants increase our immunity and prevent the oxidation of free-radicals that cause cell damage. Resveratrol and proanthocyanins are thought to be the most beneficial antioxidants that are found in grapes.
Consuming moderate amounts of red wine has been shown to aid in cardiovascular health.
Polyphenols have been shown to preserve “good” HDL cholesterol and reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in most red wine, helps to relax arteries lowering blood pressure. These compounds help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Author Note: Cancer is a scary and prevalent disease. Because polyphenols in red wine can raise antioxidant capacity and provide anti-inflammatory effects it may protect you from several types of cancer,. Resveratrol detoxifies carcinogens and blocks cancer cell growth.
Another great benefit of drinking red wine before bed is that it can balance blood sugars. Wine consumption has been linked to reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes in women.
To maximize your disease-fighting benefits stick to red wine as it contains ten times more polyphenol compounds than white.
4. Drinking Wine Before Bed May be Good for Your Waistline
If you avoid diets because they restrict all of your favorite things, we have good news for you! While drinking wine can add calories, it has been shown to help with weight maintenance. Pair red wine with a healthy Mediterranean type dinner and continue to look your best.
Resveratrol, found in red wine, has been found to suppress appetite and aid the body in burning fat. Not only that, another compound called piceatannol, is linked to lowering fat cell growth.
Red wine will help you stay trim, but don’t cancel your gym membership just yet. The amount of fat-busting compounds in a glass of wine is not enough to make up for a consistent workout schedule.
Choose dark tannic reds with low residual sugar. European wines tend to be dryer and leaner. Avoid value wines and varietals such as Shiraz, Grenache, and Zinfandel as they are often higher in sugar.
5. Drinking Wine Before Bed May Improve Your Skin
Your skincare regiment just got a lot more fun. Enjoy a glass of red wine after you wash your face to take advantage of its skin-boosting components.
The antioxidants of wine fight free-radicals and are believed to have anti-aging effects on your skin. Polyphenols fight against oxidative stress that ages skin cells and restores collagen.
Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that reduce the bacteria that cause acne. It helps clear acne and makes dull skin glow. It may also have UV protective qualities, but don’t ditch your sunscreen altogether.
Red wine improves blood circulation in the body. Increased blood flow to the scalp encourages healthy hair growth and reduces hair loss.
Cheers to Good Sleep and a Healthy Life
Relax and allow yourself to enjoy a glass of wine tonight. The chemical compounds in red wine will help you sleep, improve your mood, increase immunity, and maybe even ward off a few fat cells.
It is possible to have a balanced lifestyle and enjoy a glass of wine sometimes. Don’t over imbibe or will not reap the benefits of this wonderful drink. It is recommended that women keep to no more than one and half five-ounce serving and men under two servings.
Research is continuously uncovering the positive impact of drinking red wine before bed. Go ahead add it to your healthy lifestyle routine. Wine can do a body good!
To living a full-bodied life,
Wesley