Whether you visit your local Christmas markets or make a batch at home, mulled wine is a festive staple. Now, a doctor has revealed that the beloved drink could offer more than a taste of warming spices.
Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told Express.co.uk: “It may be comforting to know that research suggests drinking mulled wine in moderation is good for your health.” Despite the alcohol content hiding in every paper cup, the popular drink could benefit your cardiovascular health.
Dr Lee said: “Drinking red wine has been shown to raise HDL cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol) and lower LDL cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol). These are favourable changes in the lipid profile.”
Don’t just take the doctor’s word for it, as research, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also backs this claim. Looking at 69 healthy men and women aged 38-74, the research team found that drinking wine resulted in an 11 to 16 percent increase in good cholesterol.
However, Dr Sunni Patel, from Dish Dash Deets, warned there is no scientific evidence to directly suggest that mulled wine specifically lowers high cholesterol. He said: “While some studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly of red wine, may have cardiovascular benefits, it’s essential to note that these potential benefits are not exclusive to mulled wine and are associated with the alcohol content rather than the specific ingredients used in mulled wine.”
READ MORE Mulled wine with a ‘twist’ – the perfect festive recipe
Despite the lack of research into mulled wine, the doctor said that red wine contains polyphenolic compounds, such as resveratrol, which may have antioxidant properties and positively influence your cardiovascular health.
Furthermore, other key ingredients used to prepare the festive beverage could benefit your blood pressure levels.
Dr Sunni said: “The spices commonly used in mulled wine, such as cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, may offer certain health benefits, including potential effects on blood pressure.”
For example, some research suggests that cinnamon may help lower blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation.
Don’t miss…
Mulled wine with a ‘twist’ – the perfect festive recipe[RECIPE]
‘I tried six supermarket mulled wines and the winner was less than £5′[INSIGHT]
Mulled wine could lower high cholesterol by 12%[EXPERT]
Another popular ingredient used in the hot drink – cloves – packs a punch of antioxidants, which could offer anti-inflammatory properties and indirectly contribute to overall cardiovascular health, according to Dr Sunni.
Furthermore, some studies suggest that star anise can also have a positive impact on blood pressure regulation.
However, Dr Sunni added that “it’s important” to note that the impact of these spices on blood pressure is generally modest and should be considered as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
If you want to enjoy mulled wine this Christmas and potentially reap some benefits, remember that moderation is key.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
The definition of moderate drinking can vary, but according to the NHS guidelines on alcohol consumption:
- It is safest not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week on a regular basis.
- You should spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.
Dr Lee warned not to overdo it, as drinking too much alcohol over a long period could increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, brain damage, liver damage, neurological problems and seven different types of cancer.
Therefore, she recommended preparing the festive beverage at home from scratch so you can keep your alcohol as well as sugar content in check. She added: “Flavour your mulled wine with freshly squeezed orange juice, then add lemon zest, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and star anise. If you need to sweeten it, add honey, or Stevia – a natural plant sweetener.”
Source: Read Full Article