What is it about red wine that’s healthy?
Red grapes are loaded with antioxidants, which fight cancer, help prevent heart disease, and help slow the body’s aging process.  Several studies have shown that red wine can help prevent the production of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and raise your HDL cholesterol (the good kind).  Resveratrol may be the component responsible for these benefits, and it may also prevent blood clots.  

Does white wine have the same effect?
Several studies have suggested that white wine may be just as effective as red wine, and some experts assert that white wine is even healthier than red.  This topic, however, is still up for debate.  Both red and white wine contain polyphenols, which help protect from cardiovascular disease, though red wine seems to contain more of them.

How much should I drink each day?
Women will reap the maximum benefits if they drink one 4-ounce glass of red wine per day.  Men will benefit from one to two glasses each day.  

Can I drink more than that?
The more, the better, right?  Wrong.  Drinking more than the recommended amount of red wine per day will cause these health benefits to deplete, if not disappear completely.  And, as we all know, excessive consumption of alcohol goes hand in hand with numberous health risks.

What if I don’t like red wine?
Grape juice may not provide the exact same health benefits as red wine, but studies show that it can have a similar cholesterol-lowering effect.  Grape juice also comes without the risk of dependency, and it is perfect for teetotalers.

Looking for some low-cal cocktail options?  Clck here to read about which alcoholic drinks are considered diet-friendly!