Red wine - cureall or other?

January 2, 2012 7:15 AM

Nutrition related query re the benefits of red wine -if any. Boring details within.

I occasionally wake up feeling.just.fucked; absolutely exhausted for no apparent reason. I won't bore you all with the tests I've had and the different diets I've tried to no avail BUT there is one thing I've found that -while not offering an immediate reprieve, does usually leave me feeling better the next day, and that's a glass or two or three of red wine.
What I wanted to ask though, from the nutritionists among us - was, is it likely that there is some substance within red wine that is actively working this benefit to my system? And, is this substance available in non-alcoholic forms? Or am I merely perceiving non-existent nutritional benefit when in all likelihood any improvement in mood and energy levels can be attributed to the relaxation -inducing benefits of alcohol itself?

thanks

posted by Wrick to Food & Drink (4 answers total)

Have you had a sleep study done? Do you get the benefit from non-red-wine forms of alcohol? Or maybe a sleeping pill? My first thought is that you're just plain sleeping poorly, and the wine helps your sleep be more restful, or maybe helps you fall asleep quicker. When you don't drink it, you're predictably exhausted.
posted by supercres at 7:23 AM on January 2, 2012 [3 favorites]

Or am I merely perceiving non-existent nutritional benefit when in all likelihood any improvement in mood and energy levels can be attributed to the relaxation -inducing benefits of alcohol itself?

This.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:28 AM on January 2, 2012

Best answer: Wine doesn't really have a nutritional value, per se, though it does contain sugars. You're probably thinking of the Health effects of wine (Wikipedia article of the same name). Studies haven't been very conclusive, other than to show that moderate consumption of wine isn't very harmful (other than the obvious impairment for driving etc.), as compared to other types of alcohol.

From your profile it looks like you're a man – three glasses is a bit much; two is the recommended maximum to stay within moderate consumption bounds.

In my own opinion I think you're closest to the truth when you attribute the nice effect to the relaxation you feel while drinking it. I'd say that if you notice a difference with wine, it leaves you feeling better, and you're within moderate consumption bounds, you'll be fine. IANAD (but I am French-American, have had a glass of wine every evening for almost a decade now, and am in excellent health in my mid-30s – of course, I also walk everywhere, never eat fast food, and go mountain biking).
posted by fraula at 7:29 AM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]

I have friends who are diabetic that have found that red wine lowers their blood sugar. Is it possible that you have blood sugar issues that make you feel tired?
posted by bolognius maximus at 8:14 AM on January 2, 2012