Health Benefits of Wine?

We tend to be fairly conscious of how we fuel our bodies in terms of food, but what about the health benefits of what we choose to drink? So long as it is done in moderation, there is a fairly convincing case to be made for the benefits of drinking wine. 

Red Wine: Heart Healthy?

In the time of Ancient Rome, the quality of drinking water was so low that wine became its replacement. As such, the consumption of wine as a daily ritual (rather than the occasional luxury) came to symbolize sustenance and nourishment. Arguably, this point of view has prevailed, as the health benefits of wine are still widely studied and recognised. Red wine in particular has often been a preference for the health-conscious due to its 'heart healthy' properties. Red wine is rich in a powerful antioxidant called ‘resveratrol’, a polyphenol found in grape skins and red grape juice. A compound produced by several plants, resveratrol exists to fight off bacteria, fungi, and other microbial attackers.

Ingredient Spotlight: Resveratrol

Essentially, antioxidants such as polyphenols are naturally occurring chemicals that protect human and plant cells against free radicals. Also referred to as ‘unstable atoms’, free radicals can cause damage to cells and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition to fighting free radicals, resveratrol helps grapes to withstand drought conditions and a lack of nutrients. Other than in red and purple grapes, you can source resveratrol in peanuts, pistachios, blueberries, mulberries, and cranberries. 

In terms of our wines here at Witches Falls, the fact that we source the majority of our fruit from the Granite Belt is of considerable implication to the presence of resveratrol in our products. Resveratrol thrives in climates with high altitude and elevated UV levels, both of which are abundant in the Granite Belt. 

Wine and the Low Carb Diet

Antioxidants aside, there are several other health benefits of wine to note. On a low-carb diet? We’ve got good news. Wine is actually one of the least carb-heavy alcoholic beverages! Generally speaking, one glass of wine ranges from 0-4 grams of net carbs. Whilst perhaps not quite as guilt free as a vodka-soda, you can still enjoy a (much tastier) glass or two of vino. The drier the wine, the lower the carbs. At Witches Falls, we ferment all of our wines for long enough that almost all of the residual sugar has been converted into alcohol. For this reason, they tend to be on the drier side.

With that said, moderation remains key, and too much alcohol may undermine your health gains. Next time you pop in to our Cellar Door, ask us about our driest wines!