3 Forgotten Wines for Health Benefits You Need to Know About (Backed by Research)

You may be wondering what is the best wine for health benefits. It feels like wine should, to some degree, have health benefits, right?

I mean, we have been drinking wine since the dawn of time. There ought to be some hidden and trusted wines that give us more than just a buzz.

You will learn about the research behind wine health, 3 forgotten wines that can contribute to our health and wellbeing, and how to approach wine drinking with a health conscious mindset.

This post is all about the best wine for health benefits.

This is intended to provide valuable information on the potential benefits of wine drinking, not an encouragement to consume alcohol. This is not medical advice.

Acclaimed Wine Health Benefits Backed by Research

More and more we are noticing a shift in people orienting themselves towards a healthier life style: exercise, organic foods, whole foods, etc.

Though, when we are talking about consuming alcohol to what extent is "health" a factor?

Alcohol is a nervous system depressant. We can drink one to two alcoholic drinks and feel the immediate benefits: relaxation and decreased anxiety.

To enjoy the pleasurable and beneficial effects of drinking, drink in moderation. Consuming alcohol in excess is detrimental to our mind and body.

Though, I am sure you already knew that.

Back to wine health benefits... Assuming we are consuming wine in moderation with the mindset of a conscious drinker, what are the health benefits?

For starters, the fermentation process alone increases the bioavailability of polyphenols. The winemaking process (even in fruit wines and herbal wines) releases bioactive compounds in the alcoholic solution (wine). These compounds become more bioavailable and easier for human absorption.

Polyphenols are plant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other foods. They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Therefore, consuming wine may help us absorb more nutrients from the fruits and fruit skins.

Though, wine is NOT a new thing. The increased interest in a healthy lifestyle has sparked research into the best wine for health.

Wine has been around at least since 2200 BC. That alone would make it the oldest known medicine:

Red wine contain antioxidants, called flavonoids, which reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Research shows red wine can also decrease the risk of colon and prostate cancer when consumed in moderation.
However, red wine contains 8 times as much antioxidants as white wine!

With this information, we can draw a simple conclusion that drinking wine, even fruit wines and herbal wines, can have remarkable health benefits when we drink in moderation.

3 Forgotten Best Wines for Health

We are aware of red wine health benefits and overall wine health benefits. You have noticed and tried tons of red wines and white wines.

But, what about the other, more unpopular, styles of wine? Let's dive into the 3 forgotten best wines for health.

1. Fruit Wines

Yes, traditional grape wine is a fruit wine, but other kinds of fruit wines are forgotten in the wine world.

For various fruit wines you have pineapple wine, apple wine (cider), plum wine, strawberry wine, elderberry wine, etc etc.

You can purchase a jug of pre-made fruit wine base to toss in the fermenter with yeast for an easy fruit wine.

I have not made wine with these fruit wine base, but it is a great option when looking into making fruit wine easy!

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Elderberry fruit is known to be a great addition for your health cabinet. Turn it into fruit wine and get all those added benefits!

The great thing about fruit wines is you don't have to add additional sugar for the fermentation process. But, you do need the fruits to have enough sugar content to finish fermentation if using fresh fruits.

Fruit wines are so unpopular it is challenging to find where to purchase them. The best option is homemade fruit wines!

You can make mangosteen fruit wine which has polyphenols in the skins, similar to red wines, for those potential added benefits noted above.

2. Herbal Fruit Wines

Herbal fruit wines are similar to the above, however, herbs are added in the winemaking process for either flavor additions, mouthfeel, or medicinal benefits.

Examples of herbal wines:

Meadowsweet wine
Yarrow and plum wine
Rose petal strawberry wine

This list goes on!

Herbal fruit wines are few and far between to find. But, making your own or learning about the history of fermented beverages will grant much appreciation for the craft.

3. Honey Wine

Honey wine is also known as mead.

Mead is essentially the same as wine, but instead of adding sugar you add honey for the fermentable sugars.

Honey wine can be a great healthy alternative to fruit wines and herbal wines because honey has potential health benefits as well.

Especially when the mead maker uses organic local honey, the potential for the finished product is unmatched!

How to Approach Wine Drinking with a Health Conscious Mindset

Winemaking, and wine drinking, can add some great benefits into our lives.

Whether that be the added potential health benefits of fruit wines, or herbal wines, or engaging in the act of winemaking.

The issue that arises for most people, including myself, is the issue of over-consumption.

Drinking is a nervous system depressant and inhibitor. Therefore, it can become extremely easy to over consume: we feel relaxed and our inhibitions are not there to tell us to stop.

So, how can we have a better mindset when consuming alcohol?

Top Tips to Adopt a Health Conscious Mindset for Wine Drinkers

Many times when I crave a glass of wine I have a system, or set of guidelines to follow, so I get the most out of the glass as possible.

Not only is good wine expensive, but if you are making your own drinks then you realize how much work goes into it and will most likely treat it with great respect.

1. Celebrate a special occasion

A special occasion can be as simple as making it to the end of a long productive work day. It can also be a celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

When we attach a celebratory, or special occasion, onto a glass of wine we get to enjoy the glass of wine even more.

2. Have a plan

Many times we can find ourselves at the bar for hours after just going for one drink...

Wine is a decadent beautiful craft that ought to be respected. To respect it and get the most out of your glass: have a plan.

An example of an evening with a glass of wine:

Sit outside and watch the sunset with a glass of wine
After sunset, go inside and have a hot bath with some calming tea
Make dinner
Clean up before heading to bed

This way we are creating a fertile environment for the evening to be calm, relaxing, and elegant.

3. Choose things to accompany your wine

Here is when we are creating the environment to have an elegant evening whatever your intentions are, or wherever you are.

If you are with friends, some examples to accompany wine:

Meats and cheeses
Sunset
Outdoor seating
Use a decanter
Use your best wine glasses
Flowers for a center piece

If you are on your own, some examples:

Hot bath
Sunset
Use your best wine glass
Buy yourself some flowers
Make a lovely meal
Pair movements: a walk, yoga, etc.

The idea here is to build a story, and an event, around having wine. This will allow you to enjoy your wine more and make it easier to transition into later activities.

Again, having 1-2 glasses has potential health benefits. So, if we can elevate our experience of the 1-2 glasses, we adopt the mindset and habit of mindful drinking.

To adopt a health conscious mindset when drinking wine make sure you have a plan, you are celebrating something, and add accompaniments to create an overall better experience!