Drinking wine has several advantages today other than its great taste. Several studies have shown that drinking wine can also be very healthy for you. Scientific research on the health benefits of drinking wine has been extensive over the past decade. These studies suggest a number of positive effects that drinking wine can have on your health.

Researchers have shown that drinking wine, in moderation, can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies show it keeps your heart beating in a more healthy rhythm. Researchers found that women in particular with heart disease who drank wine had an increase in heart rate variability, which is a marker of the changes in time intervals between heartbeats. It is known that a decrease in the heart rate variability has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease that can lead to death.

Researchers say that wine increases your HDL (good cholesterol) levels thus decreasing the risk of heart disease. This along with the effect the heart rate variability may be one more reason why drinking wine reduces the risk of heart disease and heart-related deaths. Wine has also been found to affect favorably the body's adsorption of antioxidants in food and helps metabolize fat more efficiently.

A study done in the journal "Heart", studied 102 women under the age 75 who survived a heart attack or heart surgery to clear blocked arteries. During their recovery period, the participants were asked to chronicle how much and what kind of alcohol they consumed. One year later, researchers used a heart monitor to measure the women's heart activity over a 24-hour period as they went through their normal daily activities. The study showed that heart rate variability was the highest among women who drank at least half a glass of wine per day and lowest among women who drank no alcohol at all.

As the studies show, drinking wine can definitely be a health benefit.

Additional Health Benefits in Drinking Red Wine

Studies show drinking red wine in particular may have additional benefits on your health. Researches show red wine can decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, lung and prostate cancers, dementia, stroke, diabetes, macular degeneration, kidney stones and osteoporosis. A recent Spanish study even implies drinking red wine may even help fight off the common cold.

For optimal health benefits, drink small amounts of wine daily as part of a meal. Remember as in all things, drinking in moderation is always the healthiest.So go ahead and savor the taste of drinking wine while enjoying the health benefits it can have on your life.