There has been a debate going on about wine for a long time whether drinking it really helps in prolonging life or is it harmful for health. It has been claimed in many international studies that drinking wine in limited quantities can improve heart health and reduce the risk of some diseases. The antioxidants found especially in red wine are considered to be the biggest reason for this. However, every benefit comes with its own condition and excessive consumption can turn the benefits into disadvantages.

According to the report of Healthline, the antioxidant called resveratrol present in red wine helps in fighting free radicals in the body. These free radicals cause aging, heart diseases and inflammation. Drinking wine in limited quantity improves blood circulation, can reduce bad cholesterol i.e. LDL and helps in increasing good cholesterol HDL. For this reason, some experts believe that people who drink the right amount of wine have less risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, alcohol in moderation can also help reduce stress and improve mood, which is indirectly linked to a longer and healthier life.

However, the benefits of wine are there only as long as it is consumed in balance. Drinking excessive wine has a bad effect on the liver, the problem of fatty liver can increase and in the long run it can cause serious diseases like liver cirrhosis. Consuming too much alcohol also increases the risk of increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and weight gain. Apart from this, alcohol addiction can also affect mental health and worsen sleep quality. Some research also suggests that drinking excessive alcohol can increase the risk of some types of cancer.

Now the question arises that how much wine should be drunk daily. According to health experts, if a person drinks wine then he should drink it in “moderation” i.e. in limited quantity only. Generally, one glass a day for women and a maximum of two glasses a day for men is considered a limited quantity of red wine. One glass means approximately 120 to 150 ml of wine. Drinking more than this can cause harm instead of benefit. It is also important to keep in mind that drinking wine is not mandatory for anyone, and if you do not drink wine then it is not necessary to start just in the name of benefits.

It is also important to understand that every person’s body is different. People who are suffering from liver problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, or are on any kind of medication should definitely consult a doctor before drinking wine. Alcohol is considered completely harmful for pregnant women. Overall, wine is not a magical formula for increasing age, but if a person already drinks wine and keeps it in limited quantity, then it can support health to some extent.