9. Red Wine
You might immediately assume that anything alcoholic is bad for your health, but red wine carries some surprising health benefits. Red wine contains antioxidants that can aid in strengthening the walls of your arteries, which is great news for your heart. Drinking it can also increase the amount of ‘good cholesterol in your system’. A build-up of ‘bad’ cholesterol is one of the leading contributing factors to cardiovascular disease, so keeping a balance of good cholesterol is vital.
It might seem contradictory to what we know about alcohol, but there is some evidence to suggest that red wine can sharpen the mind! It contains something called flavanols, which improve blood flow to the brain.
It goes without saying – but avoid drinking the recommended amount of alcohol per week! Red wine is only healthy if used in moderation, and too much can have adverse effects on your health. When choosing a red wine, try to go for an organic and sulfate-free option for maximum health benefits.