5 Health Benefits You Need to Know — According to TheNewPotato.com

1. It can help you ward off a cold. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that among 4,000 faculty members at five Spanish universities, those who drank more than 14 weekly glasses of wine for a year were 40% less likely to come down with a common cold. According to the National Institute of Health, antioxidants in wine are believed to fight infection and protect cells against the effects of free radicals, which may play role in cancer and other diseases.

2. It can regulate your blood sugar. The skin of red grapes—a rich source of red wine’s natural compound resveratrol—may actually help diabetics regulate their blood sugar, finds recent research published in the journal Nutrition. Study participants who took a 250 mg resveratrol supplement once a day for three months had lower blood glucose levels than those who didn’t take the pill.

3. It lowers your risk of stroke and heart disease. Red wine tannins (which are what make red wine the color red) contain procyanidins, which are known for protecting against heart disease. Resveratrol also helps to remove chemicals responsible for causing blood clots, which is the primary cause of coronary disease and strokes.

4. It can boost your metabolism. Flavonoids in wine alleviate stress. When your body is going through a period of high stress, it looks to store the most fat; flavonoids encourage your body to let go of excess stress hormones, booting metabolism. Red wines with a high amount of flavonoids (think an intense Cabernet or any other dry red) can help regulate your metabolism – in moderation!

5. It can boost your mood. We got this tip from Nutritionist Mikaela Reuben: “Wine, but more specifically red wine, contains resveratrol. Resveratrol can stimulate structural change in the hippocampus of aging rats. These changes are associated with improvements in mood functioning and regulation. It is not determined whether red wine contains enough resveratrol to stimulate structural change and improved mood in a human brain, but it is a great thought, and based on my own personal experience, seems to be legit.”

So grab yourself a glass of your favorite Pinot Noir and toast to your good health!