8 Reasons Wine Is The Best Thing EVER

If you're feeling guilty about your nightly glass of wine, don't. Don't give it up now, you have to keep your health in mind! Here are 8 reasons to support the claim that wine is the best thing going.

1. Makes You More Attractive

Who doesn't like that? Drinking one glass of wine makes you more attractive to others says a study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism. This could be because low doses of alcohol give you a healthy glow and a subtle smile. Don't take it too far though, more is not better in this case.

2. It's Good For Your Heart

Although this may feel like old news, past research into wine and heart health only focused on white populations. But a recent Nutrition and Aging study looked at 3, 000 ethnically diverse women and found that moderate wine consumption may reduce your risk of heart disease.

3. It May Help Maintain Muscle

Resveratrol, a component found in wine, has been linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol and protecting the lining of blood heart vessels, was recently examined by French researchers. They wanted to see if it could help preserve muscle mass in astronauts. Astronauts experience a variety of health issues from extended time in zero gravity. To replicate the weightless state, researches hung rats by their back legs. Half were given reservatrol and the other half were not. Those that were not given the dose experienced reduced muscle mass, strength, and bone density. The other group skipped all these troubles.

4. It Reduces Stress

This may be what you say anyway but it is the truth. "All types of alcohol are central nervous system depressants, which means they depress brain activity and trigger a calming, sleep effect," says Cynthia Sass, MA, RD, CSSD, author of Slim Down Now: Shed Pounds and Inches with Real Food, Real Fast. 

5. It Can Prevent Memory Loss

Journal of Neuroscience study found that obese adults who were given reservatrol supplements for 6 months, had better short term memories than those given a placebo. Remember where you can find reservatrol? That's right, in wine.

6. It Can Burn Fat

An Oregon State University study found that a chemical found in muscadine grapes (a dark red variety) may slow the growth of fat cells while improving liver function in overweight people. Red wine shouldn't be your weightloss solution but anything that improves liver function is a good thing.

7. It Can Help Fight Cavities

Despite grapes' high sugar content and the appearance of "wine mouth," wine and grape seed extract may be good for your teeth. They help remove plaque causing bacteria according to the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

8. It Can Help Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Red wine, when enjoyed in moderation, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women says a study from the Journal of Women's Health. While alcohol is known to increase estrogen levels (not good news in regard to cancer risk ), researchers found that red wine (not white) resulted in slightly lower estrogen levels (good news for cancer risk—and red wine drinkers). So tonight, when you get home from work and pour yourself a glass of wine, give yourself a little pat on the back too. You worked hard, you deserve all the good that will come from that glass! Enjoy!