A Day of Health and Happiness

From, “It is healthy to drink a glass of wine a day,” to, “If you drink at all, you are going to destroy your liver and die,” the debate between drinking and health has been an ongoing issue that has spurred many studies. Just like the statements above, the study conclusions have been varied and subjective, causing the question to remain, is wine good for you?

               Not typically a subject I give much thought to, it did pop into my mind during a recent yoga and wine class a friend and I attended at Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland, CO. As I sat and watched about thirty women from all fitness levels prepare for 45 minutes of yoga, followed by the reward of a glass of wine, I couldn’t help but wonder: Were we being fitness ambitious, or had we all taken our love of wine a step too far?

               Often times, when opening a new wine magazine, I will find an article discussing one of the many health studies conducted that involved the subject of health and wine. As with all things this day in age, I have found it is important to read these conclusions with a grain of salt, read between the lines, and to make sure all of the information is being presented. For example, there was a portion of an article floating around Facebook awhile back that stated drinking a glass of red wine was better for a person than one hour at the gym. When reading the entire article, it stated that research was starting to show that the resveratrol in a glass of red wine had similar effects on the body as an hour of exercise by strengthening the bones, muscles, and heart. It also went on to say that it only worked on those who had one small glass a day, as in, drinking more glasses did not mean more hours at the gym. And, the whole article was based on the hearsay of one of the researchers from findings they had discovered so far. The study was still going on and no firm conclusions had been made.  Considering this, and all of the readings I have done, I have personally drawn three conclusions to the health and wine debate.

First, it appears that wine is a healthier alcoholic drink thanks to the polyphenols found in grape skins, particularly red grape varieties. The polyphenols found in grape skins have been shown to help with antiaging, reducing inflammation, have heart protecting characteristics, and reduce the risk of cancer. The big thing to remember with this is that eating grapes and other fruits high in polyphenols does the same thing, without the alcohol. Though a glass of wine, especially red wine, is a healthier alcoholic beverage selection than many others thanks to these polyphenols.

Second, a lot of wine drinkers tend to choose a healthier lifestyle in general. When reading up on the test subjects in studies that looked at the health and wine correlation, a majority of these people exercised regularly, didn’t smoke, monitored their food intake and what they were putting in their bodies, etc. To me, this could mean the wine isn’t doing anything, it’s the other factors. Or, the polyphenols in the wine are simply able to aid in the person’s health, along with the other healthy measures they are taking. There are many factors that go into one’s health, and all of the credit cannot go to their alcoholic consumption.

Third, and most important in my opinion, is moderation. When reading these studies, they tend to look at people who have a five ounce pour of wine five to seven days a week. This is a drastic difference from the person who kills a bottle a day. What this is saying to me is, like with most things, wine is perfectly fine to have in moderation, maybe even healthy. You can enjoy it and live a healthy life, as long as you drink it responsibly and in reasonable amounts. Heavy alcohol consumption is still not good for you, even if it is wine.

Anyways, stepping off my soap box, this notion of wine and health was going through my mind as I sat on my yoga mat, on the floor of a winery, with a row of barrels at my back, on a Sunday at 11 a.m. Was I being healthy, or taking wine drinking to a new low? As the class started, I was pleasantly surprised. One thing I have discovered with some of these novelty workout classes is that though fun, many times they lack in providing a decent workout. Not this class. The instructor presented a wonderful workout, and even offered up options for each level. We would start in the simpler form of a pose, and then those who felt confident and comfortable doing so would increase the pose with her, while others stayed in the other various stages. We were encouraged to push ourselves and feel confident in what we could accomplish. As the class started to wind down and we headed to our shavasana, I was delighted to find that my muscles had been happily worked, my core had that nice hint of shakiness that comes with having my balance challenged, and my mind was relaxed. And, the best part, a well-deserved glass of wine was only minutes away.

As the class ended and we all rolled up our mats, got our glass of wine, and took a seat with friends, I couldn’t help but notice that the winery was filled to the brim with smiling faces, non-stop chatter, and laughter. My friend and I included. We spent the next two hours enjoying wine – their 2021 Malbec and 2017 Syrah are my current faves – a delicious flatbread and cheese and cracker lunch, and just catching up on life. We were, quite simply, rejuvenating our souls through good conversation, after rejuvenating our bodies through a new experience and workout. By the time I left, I felt relaxed, happy, and ready for the week ahead. And, this, not polyphenols and the possibility of heart protection, is my definition of wine health.

Enjoying a good conversation over a glass of wine has helped many feel less lonely, get their worries out, or simply reconnect with friends not seen every day. Wineries, with their live music, yoga classes, paint and sips, and grape stomps give people the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. Coming from all reaches of the world, a bottle of wine can take a person to a new country and culture with one sip. Many a family dinner has been enhanced by the bottles of wine being poured around the table. Wine is a feeling, an emotion, and it marks so many important occasions. The real health benefit to wine is the joy and peace it gives a person through its ability to bring friends and family together, and its ability to push people into new experiences. Wine is an emotional, not a physical, health enhancer. My personal advice, enjoy your wine, and all of the smiles it brings. In moderation, of course.