It may be too soon to label red wine “health food,” but research continues to show that health-conscious hedonists can feel better about putting down that kale and picking up that (glass of) Cabernet.
The antioxidants and tannins in red wine have already been touted as improving cardiac health, fighting cancer, protecting against Alzheimer’s Disease and lengthening lifespans. And now comes word of studies in the Netherlands and Belgium that indicate red wine (and chocolate!) can increase the diversity of microbes in your gut, something that correlates to better overall health and can also help fight mood disorders, obesity and other afflictions.
While the results of the two studies may be cheering to millions of wine drinkers everywhere, the details may be a little TMI for many of us. Researchers determined the microbe diversity levels in thousands of study volunteers by analyzing their. . . poop, which the volunteers froze and then had transported to the lab.
Fruits, vegetables, yogurt, buttermilk, tea and coffee were also shown to increase gut bacteria diversity, while the study indicated that fatty and carb-heavy foods and antibiotics decreased microbial diversity. So you really can say that red wine and chocolate are good for you.