Benefits of Wine for Skin

Wine is a major part of the Mediterranean diet, which includes a glass of wine with dinner every day. Studies have shown that people associated with this diet live longer and healthier lives.

Wine has always been linked with festivals and celebrations, and is considered a sophisticated drink. It has been used since ages, and is still the first preference of a huge number of people. Its delicious and unique taste, along with its relaxing effects on body makes it one of the most popular drinks.

However, wine has some health benefits associated with it too. Wine helps us live a healthy life by improving our heart condition, preventing cancer, tooth decay, and easing cough and cold. Because of its numerous health benefits, daily consumption of wine has been incorporated in many cultures, most commonly, in the European culture.

The skin is the largest organ of our body. It protects other organs from various germs, dust, bacteria, and other harmful things. So, it is very important to protect and nourish our skin so as to keep it healthy.

• Wine is high in antioxidants; they protect the skin cells from free radicals which cause skin damage.

• Red wine has higher amount of antioxidants like polyphenols, resveratrol, and proanthocyanidins, and therefore, is better than white wine.
• Studies have proved that these antioxidants help in improving the skin quality and reducing the signs of aging.

• Wine is also rich in flavonoids which increases the antioxidant activity in the cells. The red color of wine is a result of these flavonoids.

Following are some of the skin benefits which a wine can provide.

Wine is high in antioxidants, among which, resveratrol plays a major role in improving skin health. Antioxidants soak up the free radicals which damage the skin and result in aging. This reduces the fine lines caused by the aging process, and your skin starts glowing. Polymer chains of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins, help in maintaining collagen and elastin throughout the body, which makes the body look younger.

According to a study conducted in the National Institutes of Health in the year 2005, when wine was applied externally to the skin of a laboratory animal and then exposed to high ultraviolet radiations, wine behaved as an excellent shield. This might prevent the development of skin cancer. Though there is no proof that this research would reap the same result in humans, it was concluded that it will, to some extent, behave as a sunblock.

In a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, participants rubbed resveratrol on the skin once in day, for 30 days. It was seen that there was about 54% of reduction in acne. Therefore, as resveratrol is present in wine in high concentration, it definitely is very helpful in getting rid of acne. It reduces inflammation, which further prevents free radicals from damaging the skin.

Wine is very good for dry skin. It restores natural skin moisture and keeps it soft and supple. It is also a very good toner. Wine can be directly applied to the skin, which makes your skin appear smooth. Add a cup of white wine to a cup of bran, mix it well, and use it as a body scrub or mask. It behaves as an excellent exfoliant.

These skin benefits have made wine very popular in spas and other skin treatment centers. One glass of wine per day is the recommended amount for consumption. But exceeding this amount may result in some adverse effects. So, enjoy the benefits of wine, in moderation.