A few months after Grace was born, David and I went out to enjoy our first date night sans bébé. I was so excited to FINALLY get to enjoy my favorite adult beverage with dinner that I could hardly sit still. “Red wine, please!”
A small carafe later (about 2 glasses), David was driving us back home, and I started to feel funny – a little achy, a little cold, and definitely not myself. By the time we got home, our date night had come crashing down. I was convinced I had contracted the flu. I was hurting everywhere, and I was so cold that my teeth were chattering. I immediately hopped into a HOT shower, desperate to get warm somehow.
[I had experienced this type of thing before, but never knew exactly what it was; I always assumed my body was fighting off a bug, because by the next day I was usually right as rain.]
My Corpsman hubby had the good sense to give me Benedryl, just in case I was having an allergic reaction to something we had eaten. And within an hour or so, I was feeling much better.
Since all ended well, we never really thought much more about that night, until it happened again on our next date night. Same symptoms, same solution. The next day we talked about everything, and the writing was on the wall; the only thing I had consumed on both nights was red wine.
I started Googling and quickly discovered other stories where new moms had developed new allergies after giving birth. Some could no longer wear certain fabrics, some couldn’t enjoy the same foods as before baby, and some were just like me. My new crux just happened to be one of my favorite things on Earth – RED WINE.
I wanted to cry. After over a year of refraining from all alcohol, the only thing I had missed was red wine. The only thing I wanted was red wine. And now I couldn’t have it.
I did so much research on the subject that I could probably write a thesis on it. But what it boils down to is sulfites. Everything I’d ever had this type of reaction to was chock-full of sulfites. And these little suckers just happen to be a natural byproduct of the wine-making process, with red wine containing an especially high quantity of them.
As a new mom, my body was no longer tolerant of sulfites – even in small quantities. So in spite of all the wonderful health benefits of red wine, it could no longer be a part of my life.
For 2+ years now, I’ve been avoiding wine. I’ve turned down many glasses, and explained to countless people why I can’t have it. I’ve tried to find a new boo, but nothing else is as easy to pour, order, or love. (Skinny vodka drinks come in as a close second, but that’s for another blog.)
This past weekend, EVERYTHING CHANGED.
I decided to get brave and try something I had read about online, and IT WORKED! Not only did it prevent any type of negative reaction, but it also made the wine taste AMAZINGLY pure, without any of the bitter aftertaste. Introducing my new boo-thang, available on Amazon:
I wasn’t sure if the Ullo Wine Purifier was going to work to actually remove the sulfites, which is why I waited until the weekend to try it (even though it arrived in a very timely manner – on Valentine’s Day). When I woke up on Saturday (and Sunday) morning without so much as a headache, I was doing my happy dance!
Now I know this might seem like a silly thing to be excited about (especially if wine isn’t your thing). But to me, this is a huge deal. Especially now that I’m trying to be purposeful about the things I consume. Sure, there are plenty of “skinny drink” recipes out there for cutting calories, but they don’t carry the same health benefits as wine. So for me, now that I am able to drink it again, I am ECSTATIC.
For those of you who are curious about wine’s health benefits, I did some searching online and I’ve cataloged a list below. If you’re unsure about any of these, please feel free to do your own research and let me know what you find! I’ll site sources throughout, but beware the annoying and sometimes browser-crashing ads that can appear on some of these sites.
Before I get started, it is certainly worth mentioning that these benefits apply to a single serving of wine, which is only 5 ounces. So be careful, and don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you can cause more harm than good. And remember, while the American Heart Association does not support drinking for non-drinkers or those at risk of alcoholism, those who already imbibe may continue light drinking for positive heart health.
WINE BENEFITS:
1. CONTAINS ANTIOXIDANTS
Wine is full of antioxidants, which attack those pesky, cancer-causing free radicals. In a study done by the University of Barcelona, scientists found that the phenols in white wine had equal, if not higher antioxidants, than those in red wine. (So in this instance, white wine may actual be better than red.)
2. BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
While you shouldn’t stop taking your daily vitamins, drinking a glass of wine a day can give your immune system a boost. Moderate alcohol consumption can actually help to ward off infections and keep your immune system in check.
3. INCREASES BONE DENSITY
As we get older, our bones naturally become more brittle. Red wine actually increases bone density and reduces the chance of osteoporosis; it has high levels of silicon, which is great for bone mineral density.
4. REDUCES THE RISK OF STROKE
Moderate consumption of wine (and alcohol in general), can prevent blood clotting. Wine acts as a natural blood thinner, breaking up any blood clots that could lead to a stroke. This lower risk of blood clotting is more beneficial to females than males.
Red wine, in particular, contains phenols that act as a blood thinner in a similar regard to aspirin – and resveratrol is mostly to thank. This article by the National Stroke Association states that the resveratrol found in red grape skins can protect against stroke when the grapes were turned into wine.
[If you’re looking for a red wine high in resveratrol, opt for a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon.]
Consumer beware: while light to moderate consumption may be good in preventing a stroke, heavy drinkers are more likely to have the opposite effect, resulting in a higher risk of heart attacks, not a lower risk. So like all things in life, moderation is key.
5. LOWERS THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE
The tannins found in red wine contain procyanidins (phenols which neutralize free radicals), which have proven to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease.
According to WebMD in a study by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa tested the effects of red wine on the health of blood vessels. After 21 consecutive days of consumption, they found that blood vessel cell health was enhanced, improving the overall flow of blood. This increases the health of the heart, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
6. DECREASES BAD CHOLESTEROL
Those procyanidins in red wine that promote a healthy heart also promote lower cholesterol. Reservatrol also decreases LDL (bad cholesterol), while increasing the HDL (good cholesterol). This also means that red wine benefits blood pressure, so if you’re suffering from high blood pressure or having trouble keeping your cholesterol levels on the good side, sip on a daily glass of medicinal red wine.
7. REDUCES THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, wine may help. Resveratrol has been proven to improve sensibility to insulin. With insulin resistance contributing to type 2 diabetes risk, a nice glass of wine makes the list of things you can enjoy.
8. REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER
In the battle against cancer, wine is on your side. The risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer can be reduced by drinking a glass of wine. The antioxidants combat nasty free radicals that allow cancer to thrive. Red wine is especially beneficial, because the resveratrol that fights against heart disease also fights against cancerous cells.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that:
“Men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only 52 percent as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as those who do not drink red wine. In addition, red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers.”
9. IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION
It may sound crazy, but drinking a single glass has shown to improve brain function. The chemicals in red wine prevent the brain’s neurons from dying off. As a result, it protects the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
10. PROMOTES LONGEVITY
When you hear about healthy living and longevity, the Mediterranean diet comes up quite often. At the core of that diet, beyond olive oil and vegetables, is red wine. Once again, it’s resveratrol for the win.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that resveratrol activates a protein that acts as an anti-aging agent. The interaction increases overall health, thus promoting longevity.
And that’s it!
Hopefully this list (and my crazy sulfite story) is helpful. If you are a non-drinker, please do not start now, based on this blog! But if you enjoy an adult bevvy from time to time, consider giving red wine a try. And remember, moderation is key. A single serving of wine is 5 oz.
Cheers! 🙂
Blessings,
Emily