Capetonians don’t need much reason to pour a glass of wine, but actually, there are several good health reasons. Drinking either white or red wine regularly in moderation with a balanced diet can improve overall health and prevent a whole bunch of diseases.

We can’t argue with science. Here’s what the experts say.

White wine

White wine has been slightly shifted to the background and less research has been done on its health benefits in particular. However, recently a study showed that white wine helped repair endothelial cells in the body.

Endothelial cells line your blood vessels, which is why white wine has heart-protective benefits, according to ScienceDirect.

White wine is also packed with polyphenol, an antioxidant found in plants. They can reduce inflammation that causes problems like heart disease.

According to the Washington Post, a study done at the University of Barcelona found these antioxidants are also associated with weight loss and anti-aging effects.

Red wine

Red wine is the one that’s getting all the attention, and for good reason. Trusted Source reported that drinking red wine is linked with a lower risk of coronary heart disease.

2018 study also showed that the polyphenols in red wine and grapes can improve the gut microbiota, contributing to a healthy digestive system, reports Medical News Today.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), resveratrol — an antioxidant in red wine — may reduce blood pressure and increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Interestingly, both red and white wine drinkers have reported a drastic improvement in their quality of sleep.

If you have any medical conditions or concerns, remember to consult a medical professional before consuming alcohol.

Excessive consumption of any alcohol has negative effects on health and can lead to substance dependency, liver failure and may lead to depression in genetically predisposed individuals, among other things.

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