Does Red Wine Have Any Actual Health Benefits?

Red wine is a staple beverage for Christmas celebrations, dinner parties, and those evenings when you’re feeling too cozy to go out. After all, it’s packed with notes of cherry, oak, cinnamon, and more that can fill us with that sense of warmth we crave when temperatures drop. But does red wine really have any health benefits?

Although red wine—like other alcoholic beverages—may make you feel good, it’s still just as detrimental to your physical health as other alcohols, says Dr. Joseph Mercola, osteopathic physician. “While red wine contains antioxidant compounds, they do not outweigh alcohol’s health risks,” he explains. But how did red wine’s reputation as the healthiest alcohol come to be? Is there any truth to it? Read on for what physicians have to say about this widely held belief.

The History Behind Red Wine’s Healthy Reputation

The history behind red wine’s reputation began during the late 20th century, Dr. Mercola says. The idea “largely stems from the ‘French Paradox’ observation in the 1980s, when researchers noted that French people had lower rates of heart disease despite consuming high-fat diets,” he explains. “They hypothesized that red wine consumption might be protective; this led to decades of research focusing on compounds in red wine, particularly resveratrol.” These conclusions became oversimplified and overstated over time—hence the reputation of red wine today.

The Health Risks of Drinking Red Wine

“Recent research shows there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption,” Dr. Mercola says. “Even small amounts increase cancer risk and cause DNA damage.” That’s because ethanol—the clear, colorless liquid found in alcohol—poses multiple health risks once it enters the body.

Converts to Carcinogens

Carcinogens are cancer-causing chemical agents typically found in alcoholic beverages. Once ethanol enters the bloodstream, it converts to acetaldehyde—a known carcinogenic substance.

Disrupts Neurotransmitters

Even when consumed short-term, alcohol has a major impact on our neurotransmitters (which help determine our mood). Since alcohol is a depressant, consuming alcohol causes an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. So while you may feel cheerful after a few drinks, your cognitive function is actually experiencing the opposite effect.

Increases Inflammation

By now you’ve likely heard about how alcohol can exacerbate inflammation—especially when consumed in large amounts. Consuming alcohol can cause inflammation in the gut and within skin tissue; since red wine is a vasodilator, it can be especially inflammatory by opening up the blood vessels and causing redness in the skin.

Decreases Sleep Quality

While a few glasses of red wine might help you fall asleep initially, they can ruin the quality of sleep you get. Too much alcohol consumption before bed can reduce REM sleep and exacerbate sleep issues.

Impairs Liver Function

You’ve probably heard about the damage alcohol can have on the liver, but it’s highly discussed for good reason. Frequent alcohol consumption can increase the buildup of fat, inflammation, and scarring that can lead to potentially life-threatening liver conditions.

Is There a Safe Way to Consume Alcohol?

While any amount of alcohol can cause damage, learning how to drink mindfully and consume less is an easy way to curtail health risks. If red wine is your go-to drink of choice due to its popularized health benefits, Dr. Mercola suggests “getting these compounds from whole food sources like grapes, berries, and other colorful fruits and vegetables.” These whole foods provide health benefits, without the downsides.