Alcohol is a unique item all around the world. It has been consumed in every culture for centuries, but its effect on the body has always been debated. Is it wrong for you? Is it good for you? Here, I’ll explain what happens to your body when you drink a glass of wine every night and answer some common questions about alcohol.
Let’s first talk about how much alcohol is safe to consume. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol consumption is one to two drinks maximum per night. A standard drink is five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or one and a half ounces of liquor. Measure out five ounces and see how your typical glass lines up. Remember that restaurant pours are typically more significant than a standard five ounces. It’s important to note that alcohol consumption is not one where more is better. Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate you, weaken your immune health, strain your heart, and even increase your risk for certain types of cancers. Binge drinking can increase the risk of alcohol use problems later in life. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to one to two drinks a night at maximum, or consider skipping alcohol altogether if that’s problematic for you.
Now, look at what happens to your body when you consume a glass of wine every night. It’s commonly believed that alcohol can help alleviate stress and improve mental health. Well, it turns out that science backs this up. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in wine, has been found to have anti-stress effects by blocking enzymes in the brain that can lead to depression and anxiety-like behaviors. A review of research also found that moderate alcohol consumption led to a 32% reduced risk of depression. Moreover, feeling less stressed could help boost your mood and make socializing easier. Studies have found that regular social time could significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Besides the mental health effects, regular wine consumption might help your heart health, thanks to the antioxidant compounds in wine. These compounds might help lower inflammation levels and, in turn, lower the risk of plaque in your arteries, coronary heart disease, and strokes. Regular consumption of wine might also help improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels. However, excessive alcohol consumption can harm your heart; keeping it moderate is critical.
Another surprising finding is that consuming wine might help improve your gut health. Your gut contains hundreds of trillions of microbes, which play a crucial role in the health of your entire body. Studies have found that red wine drinkers might have a more diverse microbiome than those who drink different types of alcohol. Researchers attribute this to the antioxidants found primarily in grape skin, namely Resveratrol.
Now, let’s come to the big question: does drinking a glass of wine every night affect your cancer risk? Studies have found that regular wine consumption might lower your risk of certain types of cancer while increasing your risk for other types. For instance, one study found that regular red wine consumption might be protective against certain gastric, renal, and thyroid cancers. However, the same study found that moderate alcohol consumption could lead to a greater risk of pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancers. Thus, more research is needed to clarify the effects of alcohol on cancer risk. However, it’s essential to remember that excessive alcohol consumption is strongly associated with greater cancer risk.
In conclusion, a nightly glass of wine has been a common practice for centuries, and limiting yourself to one to two drinks a night might have some health benefits. However, if you don’t already drink, these findings aren’t a reason to start. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have any questions about your drinking habits. Thank you for reading, and remember to eat well!
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Source Description
In this video, our registered dietitian will explore what happens to your body when you drink wine every night. You may have heard that moderate wine consumption has health benefits, but what are the actual effects on your body? Our dietitian discusses the potential risks and benefits of nightly wine consumption. Whether you’re a wine lover or just curious about the effects of alcohol on your body, this video is for you.
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Read the article at:https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7950091/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-drink-a-glass-of-wine-every-night/
00:00 Introduction
00:20 How to Ensure Moderate Consumption
00:43 Downsides of Excessive Consumption
1:22 What Happens When You Drink One Glass of Wine
An EatingWell registered dietitian answers the internet’s burning questions about the hottest topics in nutrition, diet, and health.
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What Happens When You Drink a Glass of Wine Every Night | Dietitian Q&A | EatingWell
