From reversing ageing to fighting cancer – the 6 hidden health benefits of red wine (& the healthiest picks)

IT accounts for 42 per cent of all wine sold in the UK, with one in five people drinking it weekly.

While it’s often been the preserve of Christmas dinners and cheese boards, red wine could hold the key to beating bowel cancer.

A compound in the tipple — resveratrol — has been found to starve cancerous cells of energy and clear out damaged proteins.

This week, it was revealed research is under way to see if a concentrated pill could slow the growth of tumour cells in the gut. While widespread access to the compound might be years away, what if enjoying a hearty glass of pinot noir could improve your health?

The good news is, it can.

From reducing inflammation to supporting your heart, gut and brain, the benefits are plentiful.

Registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine tells Sun on Sunday Health: “In moderation, red wine can offer some benefits, largely due to its antioxidant content and other beneficial compounds.

“Alcohol-free red wine would be recommended from a health point of view though.”

But how it is consumed is also important, according to Rhiannon Lambert, nutritionist and best-selling author.

She says: “Red wine has long been associated with socialising and enjoyment, especially when consumed mindfully.

“The Blue Zones [of the world] are five areas where residents have exceptionally long life expectancies due to their life-style, low stress levels, social interactions and wholefood diets.

“One of these zones is a province of the Italian island of Sardinia. It’s known for producing exceptional red wines, which could be a part of their secret to long life.”

Here, Rhiannon and Nichola explain the specific benefits of the drink and what you should be popping in your supermarket trolley this Christmas . . . 

IMPROVED IMMUNE SYSTEM

“RED wine contains antioxidants, including polyphenols like resveratrol and flavonoids, which can help protect cells from damage,” Nichola says.

“Antioxidants play a role in reducing inflammation and supporting immune function, which is essential for health.”

A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, for example, found red wine may help protect against a common cold.

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

RED wine has also been linked to improved cardiovascular health.

Rhiannon says: “This is due to polyphenols, including resveratrol and catechins, which can benefit blood vessel function and help lower blood pressure,” Rhiannon says. “These polyphenols may contribute to higher levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, while reducing LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, which plays a role in atherosclerosis — the thickening of arteries which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.”

Analysis by Queen’s University Belfast and Kiel University in Germany found three glasses of red wine a week could significantly lower blood pressure.

And scientists at Anglia Ruskin University described the protective relationship between red wine and heart disease as “undeniable”.

REDUCED CANCER RISK

THE chemical resveratrol, found in red wine, may help to protect against cancer, research suggests. Scientists at the University of Leicester are even trialling a preventative bowel cancer pill made from resveratrol.

But don’t go glugging. “It would be much better to get these polyphenols from healthier foods such as berries and grapes,” Nichola says.

BETTER BRAIN HEALTH

THE antioxidants present in red wine in small amounts may lower your risk of neurodegenerative diseases, Nichola says. “Resveratrol is thought to protect brain cells from damage and support healthy bloodflow, which is essential for cognitive function,” she adds.

A study by Queen’s University Belfast found drinking red wine could cut your risk of developing dementia by up to a third — if you also eat the odd square of dark chocolate and drink tea.

“As always, alcohol-free wine would be best to protect brain and liver health,” Nichola says.

A GOOD GUT

IN 2019, researchers at King’s College London found that red wine drinkers had greater diversity in the gut than those who like white wine, beer or spirits.

Rhiannon says:: “Polyphenols in red wine may have a potential prebiotic effect, encouraging the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

“Greater diversity is associated with better immunity and general health and wellbeing.”

REVERSE AGEING

IF all that wasn’t enough, red wine could also combat ageing. Researchers at the University of Florida found that women who drank two glasses of non-alcoholic muscadine wine daily had greater elasticity and water retention in their skin than those who consumed a placebo.

Nichola says: “Resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may have positive effects on skin health, slowing signs of ageing.

“It’s no substitute for skincare or a healthy diet but it may support your skin’s resilience from within.”

SO WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU BUY?

ALL alcohol is bad for us. Heavy drinking can wreak havoc on the brain, heart, liver and pancreas, and increase our risk of several types of cancer — which is why the NHS advises us not to drink more than 14 units (about one and a half bottles of wine) a week.

The guidelines also advise spreading it over three or more days.

But if you are going to have a glass or two, you might as well choose the best one.

“For the healthiest choice, go for red wines with high antioxidant content and lower sugar levels,” Nichola says. s“Wines made from thick-skinned grapes like cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and merlot are often higher in polyphenols.”

“If you’re watching sugar intake, steer clear of shiraz and port and opt for ‘dry’ or ‘extra dry’ varieties, as these usually contain less than 1g of sugar per glass,” Rhiannon adds.

Many French, Spanish, and Italian reds are in this category.

“Lower sugar levels in wine can be helpful for people managing insulin sensitivity or aiming to avoid sugar-induced energy crashes, as well as keeping to the NHS recommended 30g of sugar a day,” she says.

Affordable examples available in supermarkets include Campo Viejo Rioja (£7.50 from Asda) or 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon (£9.15 from Iceland).

For a non-alcoholic option, try Torres Natureo Red (£6 from Ocado), which retains the flavours of red wine without the alcohol.

If your budget can stretch, drink organic wines as it will improve the health benefits.

 Rhiannon says: “Organic or biodynamic wines are often made without artificial pesticides or sulphites and are less processed,” she adds. “They may also have higher levels of natural polyphenols.”