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At the end of a long week or when celebrating with friends and family, we all like to enjoy a glass of wine now and then. Of course, we all know the effects that drinking too much alcohol has, but for once, we are happy to report a positive side effect. That is for red wine in particular!
Did you know that red wine can actually be good for your gut when drunk in moderation?
We have gathered all the information here you need to know.
If you’re wondering why you should care about your gut health, allow us to explain.
Your gut is the part of your body that helps to digest what we put into our bodies by breaking the food down, absorbing the good parts we need and disposing of the rest.
In the gut, there is a wealth of friendly bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium. These all further aid digestion and contribute to good gut health.
But in the gut, with good bacteria also comes bad bacteria, which can harm your health. So, good gut health is just ensuring the good bacteria in your gut outweigh the harmful bacteria.
You want to ensure a healthy gut, as this can lead to a plethora of health benefits, such as lowering the chance of obesity and reducing inflammation, which can lead to heart disease.
Clearly, good gut health is important!
But how does red wine fit into your gut health?
Red wine contains the compound polyphenols, which can be found in many fruits. This helps increase the number of good bacteria that can survive in your gut. It has even been considered in the past to be a fuel for the microbes that are living in your gut.
The study found that those who drank alcohol on occasion, whose drink of choice was red wine, had a healthier gut ecosystem. Their gut microbiota was found to be much more diverse than none red wine drinkers. This is because alcohols like beer, cider and other wines have far fewer polyphenols.
So, the consensus is that drinking red wine is good for your gut, but it should only be drunk in moderation, like any alcoholic beverage.
It is important to note that drinking red wine is not the only way to promote gut health. It is just a beneficial side effect for those that love to indulge.
So, when it comes to maintaining a healthy gut, there are a number of ways in which you can do so. We have listed them here to help you on your way to a healthier and happier gut.
Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the easiest and most important ways to improve your gut health. Consuming fresh, unprocessed and clean foods can help you to maintain a healthy gut, whereas processed foods which are broken down into sugars, can have a negative impact on your digestive health.
Partaking in regular exercise can help with irritable bowel syndrome. This is because physical exercise gets our colon moving which in turn can improve more regular bowel movements.
When hungry, shovelling food into our mouths as fast as possible can be tempting. Like the phrase ‘wolfing it down’. However, this can lead to a more difficult digestive process. Instead, take the time to chew your food thoroughly and ignore the temptation to take large bites and swallow them quickly.
You can avoid overwhelming your gastrointestinal tract by eating smaller portions more frequently instead of sticking to a rigid food schedule of large meals. It has similar effects as the point mentioned above, chewing your food thoroughly.
Suppose you think you struggle to maintain a regular duet of the good food you need for your gut. In that case, you may consider taking probiotic supplements. These can increase the number of good bacteria in your gut and can also be found naturally in foods such as yoghurt, kefir, and fresh sauerkraut.
Did you know that feeling stressed can also impact your gut health? Reduce the stress and anxiety you feel by introducing yoga, meditation and journaling into your routine.
Maintaining your water levels is an excellent way to improve gut health, and you should always strive to drink around three glasses of water throughout the day.
Eating a fibre-rich diet goes a long way to nourishing your healthy gut bacteria and ensuring your gut lining remains intact.
If you’re concerned about your gut health, we recommend making an appointment with your GP and speaking to your doctor.
We are also available at Home Health UK to offer friendly advice backed up by the knowledge of our expert team. Shop our collection of home health tests available online now, and browse stomach and bowel relief medications on offer.
For more help and advice, don’t hesitate to contact our team today to learn more.
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