Red wine enthusiasts really don’t need a reason to pour a glass of the crimson liquid other than the fact that they enjoy the taste. To their delight, however, it turns out that red wine offers many good reasons to indulge . . . in moderation, of course. Red wine has been studied extensively, with many of the studies reporting potential benefits that range from improving heart health, decreasing the risk of stroke, improving memory, and protecting against certain types of cancer. Most recently, it has been determined that one to two glasses of red wine per day decreases the likelihood of long-term weight gain, according to the “Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.”

But how much is too much? As a toxicologist, I understand it’s important to realize that the amount that can potentially be toxic can vary by gender, age, and even genetics.

I often have to educate people on the serving size of red wine that is beneficial. Generally speaking, women metabolize (or detoxify) the alcoholic portion of wine at a slower rate than men. Therefore, not only should the serving size be smaller for women, the rate of consumption—or how quickly you drink—should be slower. A good daily limit for both men and women is half a 250 ml (large) red wine glass. Depending on your tolerance level, you may be able to double this amount without experiencing any toxic effects to your liver and central nervous system.

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The secret of red wine’s magic lies in the skins of the wine grapes. They contain tannins, which give red wine its beautiful color; procyanidins, which provide cardiac protection; and resveratrol, the polyphenol that has been shown to remove chemicals and improve physical performance. They are also a source of ellagic acids, which stop fat cells from expanding and discourage new fat cells from forming.
Here is a handy list of red wine’s top benefits according to recent research:

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1. Weight loss. People on high-fat diets who consumed red wine daily didn’t gain weight. Their counterparts who didn’t drink red wine did gain weight.

2. A decrease in the risk of cardiac problems, cancer, and stroke. Quercetin, an antioxidant found in red wine, promotes cell death in certain cancer cells. Resveratrol, also found in red wine, removes chemicals that lead to blood clots from circulation.

3. Memory improvement. Resveratrol also assists with this.

4. Sleep improvement. Because of the resveratrol once again, red wine can be a sleep aid. One serving in the evening can decrease sleep disturbances.

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While the health benefits of red wine are undeniable, there are those who simply cannot tolerate alcohol or should not consume it due to health restrictions and addiction. These conditions should never be ignored. And don’t forget, you can get some of the same benefits from pure grape juice, especially the black and red grape varieties.

To your health!