Researchers say people who drink a moderate amount of red wine have better gut health. They add that red wine is also associated with lower body mass index and lower levels of bad cholesterol.
Researchers from King's College London have found that wine – specifically red wine – could be good for the health of the gut, increasing the number and variety of useful bacteria that can live there.
In theory a high enough alcohol concentration with sufficient exposure to gut or oral tissue could kill bacteria but will in all likelihood also damage the gut lining. It's not advised alcohol be used as a regular disinfectant to treat tummy bugs or throat infections.
A team of Portuguese researchers found that specific polyphenols in red wine trigger the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes the stomach wall, helping to optimize digestion.
It's not entirely certain why, though several studies have been done suggesting that ethanol—in certain concentrations and delivery systems—can stimulate something called “gastric emptying,” a pretty unglamorous phrase referring to digestion in the stomach.
"What is certain about wine and other types of alcohol is that drinking beyond moderation has clear impacts on a person's health," warns Dr. Septimus. "Regularly drinking more wine than recommended increases a person's risk of developing cancer, liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, sleep disorders and more."
But there are some alcoholic beverages that might have positive impacts in moderation. Red wine is one example. This beverage is rich in polyphenols—micronutrients which may increase good gut bacteria, and reduce inflammation. According to research, however, one serving every week or two is enough to benefit your gut.
Red, red wine, goes to my... gut? A study by a team of scientists from King's College London has found that red wine drinkers had a greater diversity of bacteria in their digestive tracts, which is a marker of gastrointestinal health, compared to those who consumed other kinds of alcohol.
A new study from King's has found that people who drank red wine had an increased gut microbiota diversity (a sign of gut health) compared to non-red wine drinkers as well as an association with lower levels of obesity and 'bad' cholesterol.
Does Wine Help with Digestion? Red wine is a rich source of digestive probiotics, including bifidobacterium, bacteroides, prevotella, and enterococcus. These wines promote a healthy digestive system by activating the enzymes required to digest fats and proteins while stimulating the production of certain vitamins.
The worst alcoholic drinks that are the most likely to cause bloating are beer, wine, cider, prosecco, champagne, and carbonated mixers. These fizzy and alcoholic drinks all include carbon dioxide, meaning you consume a lot of excess gas while drinking, which leads to bloating.
Digestive health and good bacteria have been trending in health and wellness circles for a few years. And since wine is a fermented product, it naturally contains probiotics.
According to the study, red wine contains 11 strains of probiotics, including Lactobacillus (usually found in yogurt), Pediococcus and Oenococcus strains (used in winemaking process).
Wine also contains lactic acid bacteria that have similar probiotic benefits as fermented foods like kimchi and miso, and unique wine probiotics that decrease gut inflammation in mice. Anthocyanins in red wine are prebiotics that support a balanced gut biome by helping good gut bacteria take over bad gut bacteria.
Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood.
Red Wine. Red wine is widely recognized as one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks out there. Poon notes that it's "relatively low in calories and also offers some health benefits."9 She adds that red wine is rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol and proanthocyanidins and can promote cardiovascular health.
(1) There is another pivotal reason that makes red wine a worthy addition to your health routine—according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who drink red wine have markedly higher levels of friendly gut bacteria and much lower levels of bad bacteria.
Alcohol, especially large amounts and high concentrations, can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract. The alcohol kills many of the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines. Our body needs these bacteria as they support a healthy gut microbiome and many critical processes.
Research tells us that red wine has a lot to offer because of the polyphenols found in red grapes. Polyphenols are a group of antioxidants produced by plants. They act as a buffer against oxidative stress, which ages and weathers the body. They safeguard against inflammation.
Like so many other foods and beverages, red wine can be very healthy, especially for the gut. But it can become just the opposite when too much sugar is added to it while it's being processed. This excess sugar can have an impact on your gut's ability to help digest the wine properly and inflammation.
Alcohol can damage the organs it comes in contact with in the digestive system, including the mouth, throat, oesophagus and stomach. Once alcohol has entered the blood stream it can damage the liver and large intestines. Alcohol is not treated like other nutrients in food.
To keep belly bloat at bay, reach for peppermint, ginger, or fennel tea, Doyle says. “These teas have different properties, which may relax the digestive tract and relieve bloating and gas,” Fullenweider says.
Whiskey is a Digestion Aid
Drinking whiskey after a large, delicious meal (at State Fare?) can help ease an upset stomach. The high proof whiskey stimulates the stomach's enzymes, which help to break down food. This benefit makes whiskey an excellent part of your next happy hour.
As the name suggests, wine belly is the concept that drinking sauvignon blanc, malbec, rosé — pick your poison — will cause weight gain in your abdominal region.