Red wine benefits linked to better gut health

Alcohol consumption rules are different widely among countries. In the UK and Netherlands, one glass of wine or a half quart of beer a day is recommended. In the US it is twofold these levels, and in Mediterranean countries and Chile when it comes to drinking wine it’s indeed more relaxed.

Drinking any sum of alcohol is said to increase the chances of many diseases, including cancers, and liver disease. However, a number of studies seem to suggest there could be health benefits to a low intake of red wine.

Red wine and the gut

A recent study has found that individuals who consumed red wine had an increased gut microbiota differences compared to non-red wine consumers. This study shows that moderate red wine consumption is affiliated with lower levels of obesity and 'bad' cholesterol. They found that the GM of red wine consumers was more differing compared to non-red wine drinkers. This was not observed with consumption of white wine, beer or spirits. This study. The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms in an environment and plays a vital role in human health. An imbalance of 'good' and 'bad' microbes in the gut can lead to unfavorable health results such as obesity or high cholesterol, reduced immune system. A person's gut microbiome with a better number of diverse bacterial species is considered a marker of gut health. 

Polyphenols may benefit gut health

It is believed that the main reason for the association of gut health and red wine is because of the active compounds found in red wine known as polyphenols. Polyphenols are defense chemicals that are present in many fruits and vegetables naturally. These chemicals are found in the skin of grapes. Due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties they possess it may help fuel microbes which are living within our system. Red wine is also rich in health promoting molecule called resveratrol that can improve gut microbial composition.

While results are very consistent in this study but if factors are associated more than by chance causality cannot be proved. So for now, all the evidence suggests that if you have to choose an alcoholic drink today, it should definitely be a small glass of red wine because it appears to potentially exert a beneficial impact on your gut microbes and you, which in turn may also help weight and risk of heart disease.