Port Wine Health Benefits: 6 Ways to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck With Port Wine
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Port wine is a delicious and richly flavored wine from Portugal that is frequently enjoyed as a dessert or nightcap. It is typically made from grapes grown in the Douro region and fortified with brandy or distilled grape spirits. Port wines come in a variety of styles, including Ruby, Tawny, White, and Late Bottled Vintage (or LBV).
Port wine has long been a favorite of many, and it’s easy to see why! Port wine can taste like a sweet dessert, but also be paired with cheese and even used as an ingredient in cooking. It is full of flavor that will keep your taste buds happy for hours. But did you know that port wine has many health benefits as well?
In-depth research on port wine can be difficult to find, but there are studies that link to port wine health benefits. Obviously you can easily cancel out any possible benefits by drinking too much, so drink responsibly.
If you’re looking to get the most out of port wine, then this blog post is perfect for you! This article will talk about 6 ways port wine can benefit your health. So, let’s get started!
Possibly Supports Longevity
First, port wine may increase your lifespan. A study conducted at the University of Michigan showed that port wine has compounds in it that are associated with longevity and brain health. The results demonstrated that port wines have high levels of resveratrol, which can help reduce oxidative stress on cells. This means slower cell death, longer life expectancy, and less risk of chronic diseases.
Resveratrol can also help support heart health, improve blood flow to the brain and lower your overall chance of stroke or cardiovascular disease. So port wine not only tastes amazing, but it comes with its own built-in benefits!
Possibly Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Next, port wine is anti-inflammatory, which can prevent and reduce muscle pain. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, port wine has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with arthritis treatment or prevention. In this particular study, port wines were given to the participants along with ibuprofen for five days straight before they underwent strenuous exercise. Researchers found that port wine was just as effective at controlling inflammation and preventing muscle pain!
Another study conducted by the University of Porto showed similar results citing anti-inflammatory properties, so port wine is definitely worth trying if you experience frequent aches or pains in your muscles. And unlike medications like ibuprofen, port wines do not have any side effects (if you drink responsibly).
Possibly Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Third, port wine can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that port wines contain high levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, which are great for brain health. This includes the ability to reduce free radical damage and lower your risk of getting diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s. A study conducted at Vanderbilt University found port wine has a compound known as dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA), which can help prevent some of the changes that Alzheimer’s disease causes in your brain.
This also means that port wine may be able to reduce memory loss associated with aging and other health conditions like diabetes and strokes.
Possibly Contributes To Mental Health
Fourth, port wine can improve mental health. It has been found that port wines have compounds called theaflavins and proanthocyanidins, which are beneficial for maintaining healthy brain activity as you age. This means better memory function, clarity of thought, and an overall reduction in cognitive impairment with aging!
Proanthocyanidins can also reduce mental fatigue and improve focus. And port wine is a great alternative to coffee for those of us that are sensitive to caffeine.
There is also some research that port wine may help reduce depression and anxiety by increasing the neurotransmitters in your brain, which contribute to positive feelings like happiness, excitement, energy, love & belongingness.
So, if stress or other mental health conditions have been getting you down lately – port wine might be just what you need to help yourself relax and feel good!
Port wine is also great for improving social interactions. Studies show port wines have low levels of alcohol, so you can partake in a glass or two without feeling too tipsy before going out with friends. Plus, port wines are associated with feelings of love, romance, passion & sociability.
Healthier Skin
Another port wine health benefit is that it can help with healthier skin. Port wines have high levels of resveratrol, which is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals and UV rays – the number one cause for wrinkles!
Resveratrol is also linked to maintaining healthy collagen production in your body, which reduces fine lines & wrinkles and can even help with acne!
Moreover, it also contains trace amounts of healthy fatty acids that can support your skin’s health by reducing inflammation and promoting repair & growth.
So, if you’re looking for a great excuse to drink port wine every day – go ahead, enjoy yourself because port wine is actually good for more than just your heart health!
Prevents Obesity
Port wine contains high levels of piceatannol (found in grape skin), which is great for preventing fat accumulation and reducing body weight!
Piceatannol, the same compound in port wine responsible for improving your heart health, also inhibits an enzyme known as adipogenesis – the conversion of stem cells to fat. It does this by decreasing the differentiation of stem cells into adipocytes (fat-storing cells). And port wine has been shown to reduce weight gain in animal studies, as well as reducing abdominal obesity and fatty liver!
So next time you want a healthy snack instead of something high in sugar or carbs – reach for port wine instead! It could help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight and protect your heart from disease. But obviously don’t drink too much of you will cancel out the positive effects of the piceatannol.
Conclusion
It’s time to stop worrying about drinking port wine. Port wines have a wide range of health benefits that can improve just about every aspect of your life, including mental, physical & social well-being. So go ahead and indulge in a glass or two with your friends and family. But drink responsibly. Everything in excess is bad. Make sure that you have control over what and how much you drink.
