•Aids digestion. Polyphenols in wine help your gut lessen the harmful effects of certain chemicals before they are distributed throughout the rest of your system. They also tell the body to release nitric oxide, which relaxes the walls of your stomach as it fills with food, helps counteract effects of irritable bowel syndrome and improves digestion.


•Whittles your waistline. Red wine not only helps make you feel more satisfied and suppress your appetite (so you eat less), but studies say it also can halt the growth of fat cells through a substance called piceatannol, which stops the fat cells from fully forming or maturing into full-blown fat.


•Strengthens your bones. Recent studies show that moderately consuming red wine helps maintain strong, healthy bones. This connection is especially evident in the case of postmenopausal women. Stronger bones mean a lesser chance of developing osteoporosis. However, it’s a balance; over-consumption has the reverse effect and can make bones weaker and more brittle. Remember: moderation is key!


•Prevents cancer. Perhaps some of the most exciting research reveals red wine’s cancer-fighting powers, thanks to the presence of polyphenols (especially resveratrol). Polyphenols, found in grapes, have some incredible antioxidant attributes that include protection from the free radicals that damage cells and DNA and lead to cancer.


•Live longer. Not only does resveratrol potentially prevent cancer, it might also fight ageing. In a fascinating new study on worms, resveratrol was shown to extend lifespan by 60 per cent! It accomplishes this by both preventing disease (such as cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes) and by triggering the so-called “longevity gene” (SIRT1), which further boosts overall health and wellness. Scientists have high hopes for the future of resveratrol in extending human lifespan and vitality.