There are many benefits to drinking wine before bed. Some people drink wine to help them fall asleep, while others drink it for health benefits.
Wine in moderation has been shown to improve heart health, increase lifespan, and even help with weight loss.
In this blog post, we will discuss all of the benefits of drinking wine before bed.
Benefits of Drinking Wine Before Bed
Certain antioxidants in wine have been shown to have many health benefits, including improving sleep quality and reducing the risk of certain health conditions.
Healthy adults should have no more than 5oz per day.
Most of the things that give the wine some health benefits can also be found in grape juice, but alcohol in wine can help people feel sleepy and get to sleep faster.
More than 2oz at night will disrupt sleep cycles.
What are the Benefits of Drinking Wine Before Bed?
Having a nightcap is a common practice because many people know that a little drink of alcohol before bed can help you fall asleep faster.
While bourbon and cognac are more traditional, many opt for a little wine before bed. The key is a little.
If you go to bed with too much wine you’ll fall asleep fast and then wake up later with insomnia.
Read our related article on the Benefits of Drinking Organic Wine. We explore the benefits of organic viticulture and drinking a glass of organic wine.
Improves Sleep Quality
One of the main reasons many people drink wine before bed is to help them fall asleep and get a good night’s rest.
Studies have shown that drinking a glass of wine before bed can reduce sleep latency, or the time it takes to fall asleep, as well as improve overall sleep quality.
This can be beneficial for those who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
The amount to drink to help you fall asleep is about 2 ounces. Any more and you risk messing up your natural sleep cycle.
CAUTION: Those with sleep apnea should never drink any alcohol before bed. The risk of exacerbating obstructive sleep apnea increases by 25% after the consumption of wine.
This will actually decrease your sleep quality and deprives the brain of oxygen.
Read our related article, Does Alcohol Make You Sleepy? for more study-backed information on why your favorite glass of wine makes you tired.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
In addition to improving sleep quality, wine has also been shown to have cardiovascular benefits and may even help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Some research has found that moderate wine consumption can reduce plaque buildup in the arteries and lower blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for developing heart disease.
Drinking wine regularly has been linked to increased lifespan and a reduced risk of other chronic health conditions such as cancer and dementia, though too much wine has shown to increase the risks.
Balance is key to finding the health benefits of drinking wine.
Weight Loss
Drinking wine before bed can also help with weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness after a meal.
The high levels of antioxidants in various types of red wine are thought to play a role in this effect, as they may increase metabolism and stimulate fat burning in the body.
As a bonus, drinking wine before bed can also help you relax and unwind after a long day, making it easier to fall asleep and get the rest you need.
Factors like personal preferences, your current health status, and how much wine you drink can all impact whether or not drinking wine before bed is beneficial for you.
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether it’s right for you is to consult with your doctor.
All of the health benefits are found in moderate consumption – mere ounces per day.
Increases Heart Health
Wine has also been shown to have cardiovascular benefits and may even help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Some research has found that moderate wine consumption along with a diet that avoids sugar and is rich in lean protein and fats can reduce blood sugar and plaque buildup in the arteries and lower blood pressure.
Reduces Metabolic Syndrome
Components of metabolic syndrome are a cluster of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions.
These include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abdominal obesity.
Some research has found that drinking wine can help reduce these risk factors, potentially decreasing the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions.
Contains Resversatrol
While red wine is a source of resveratrol, which is linked to improved cognitive function in mice, red wine may not be the best source of resveratrol.
Many studies show that while red wine contains resveratrol, older adults who drink wine show higher incidents of impaired verbal memory, impaired working memory, and a higher risk of dementia.
However, no studies have been done that can prove whether or not very small amounts of wine may carry the benefits without imparting the risks to seniors.
The question is whether small amounts of wine have enough resveratrol to benefit. Again, moderation is key.
Promotes Longevity
Drinking wine has been linked to increased lifespan and a reduced risk of some chronic health conditions.
This is thanks to the antioxidants found in the grapes used to make the wine.
Overindulging in wine will have the reverse effect. It’s also important to note that wine is not single-handedly beneficial for longevity.
Studies that promote wine for longevity also include the Mediterranean diet.
Boosts Your Mood
Drinking a little wine before bed can also help you relax and unwind after a long day, making it easier to fall asleep and get the rest you need.
The key is to drink a little – less than 200ml to benefit.
Excess alcohol consumption can actually exacerbate depression and sleep disorders, so the key is moderation.
Additionally, the alcohol in wine can act as a mild sedative, helping you quickly drift off into a peaceful slumber.
For those suffering from depression, wine can be a tempting escape route from black thoughts, creating a prime situation for alcoholism – which makes depression much worse.
What are the Risks of Drinking Wine Before Bed?
Drinking too much wine can have several adverse effects on your health and well-being.
Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to many negative outcomes, including liver damage, weight gain, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, depression, and an increased risk of cancer.
Understand that a little wine can be beneficial, but excessive consumption can destroy your health.
- Those with sleep apnea or other sleep disorders will find that having a nightcap increases sleep disturbances and periods of not breathing.
- Wine consumption (all alcohol) increases the risk of developing gout in the big toe, wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles by about 36%.
- Wine intake is just as damaging to your liver as any other alcoholic beverage.
The key to enjoying wine is to learn to treat it as a tasty beverage rather than something to slake your thirst. Enjoy it for the flavors, the richness, and the experience.
Truly savoring wine will help you stay within the safe limits of about 5oz per day.
If you want to drink wine as a nightcap, then save 2 of those ounces for bedtime.
If you find that you are drinking too much wine, it is important to acknowledge the problem and take steps to reduce your intake.
Final Thoughts
Wine is often thought of as a ‘healthy’ drink due to its many potential health benefits.
The problem is many people think that because it’s healthy they can drink as much as they like.
This type of drinking actually increases the risk of developing major health problems. We’re all about enjoying wine! But we’re also about living long, healthy lives.
Enjoy wine in moderation and you can have both!