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Ask any avid wine drinker and they’ll say that red wine is good for you. It’s true, you know. Red wine has surprising health benefits that will make you want to chug down an entire bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Not so fast, though! Drinking too much alcohol is bad for you – just ask your liver. You want to drink red wine within the recommended limits to enjoy the following health benefits.

1. Red wine helps with weight loss.
Wines made of red Muscadine have been recently linked to weight loss. According to a study conducted in the Oregon State University, drinking juices or wines made of these dark-colored grapes, or consuming the grapes as is, can help fight obesity.

How it works: Muscadine is a variety of grape that is native to southeastern United States but also grows in places around the world. Also known as Scuppernong, it is the only species of grape that contains ellagic acid, a substance that burns fat. Ellagic acid prevents the formation of new fat cells, slows down the growth of existing ones, and increases the metabolism of fatty acids within the liver. All of which give Muscadine wine its reputation as a weight-loss beverage.

Drinking Scuppernong is better than eating the fruit or drinking its juice because it has undergone fermentation. Fermentation increases the amount of ellagic acid found in the wine. Scuppernong that’s been aged in oak is also better than wines aged in other barrels. It’s because oak wood naturally contains ellagitanins, a form of ellagic acid which is infused into the wine during aging.

Health tips: For the best weight loss results, drink oak-aged red wine made of these fat-burning grapes. Complement your diet with other foods that naturally contain ellagic acid such as blackberries, raspberries, walnuts, pecans, oolong tea, and green tea. It is not advised that you drink more than one glass of Muscadine or Scuppernong a day.

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2. Red wine fights cancer.
Two separate studies by the University of Missouri, School of Medicine have shown that red wine can help in the treatment of certain cancers. In the first study published in 2012, they proved that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, sensitizes prostate cancer cells so that they are more susceptible to treatment. As a result, patients of prostate cancer have better chances of recovery, even when they suffer from aggressive tumors. A year later, they discovered that red wine also makes melanoma cells more vulnerable to radiation therapy. Not only that, treatment was found to be more effective with the help of resveratrol than performing radiation therapy alone.

Older research has already proven that red wine makes cancer cells more responsive to chemotherapy, a widely used treatment for cancer. The latest studies only add to the surmounting evidence that red wine fights cancer.

How it works: The resveratrol content of red wine destroys body cells that show signs of DNA damage. These cells are more likely to become cancerous than normal, healthy cells. Meanwhile, the ellagic acid present in Muscadine wine or any wine aged in oak prevents the development of cancer cells. Another beneficial element of red wine is quercetin. According to the American Cancer Society, quercetin kills certain cancer cells, namely that of colon cancer.

Health tips: White wine has the same cancer-fighting benefits. That being said, red wine contains more resveratrol because they come from red or purple grapes. You may also want to check which vineyard a red wine comes. Grapes grown in cool, moist climates have higher amounts of resveratrol than those grown in sunny, dry areas.

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3. Red wine has anti-aging effects.
Everyone wants to look young and live longer. Look no further than the red wine when searching for the Fountain of Youth. It’s not going to make you an immortal (or a sparkly vampire), but it can slow down your body’s aging.

Regular wine drinking will make your skin healthier and become more resistant to sun damage, and soon enough you will start to look better. Sun exposure is the main culprit behind skin aging and premature wrinkling. You are also more likely to outlive non-alcoholic drinkers by five years or more if you drink wine regularly.

Red wine consumption is further linked with a decreased risk for age-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. In fact, regular wine drinkers are 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

How it works: Red wine is chockfull of antioxidants. Basically, these are vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids that protect the body from free radicals. Scientists believe that exposure to free radicals speeds up the aging process and increases a person’s risk for diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, and many more. Antioxidants negate these effects.

Red wine is highest in resveratrol, a type of antioxidant normally found in grapes. Wine has higher concentrations of resveratrol than grape juice because the grape’s skin and seeds are included in the fermenting process.

Health tips: Some red wines have more antioxidants than others. In general, Oregon Pinot Noirs contain the highest amount of resveratrol among American wines. That being said, European wines usually have higher concentrations of resveratrol than American wines.

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4. Red wine promotes heart health.
Research shows that light to moderate alcohol consumption is attributed to a lower risk for heart disease compared to non-alcohol drinkers and people who drink alcohol excessively. Red wine, in particular, is excellent for the heart.

How it works: Unlike other wines and spirits, red wine is packed with resveratrol and other antioxidants which help make a happy and healthy heart. One function of antioxidants is that they increase the levels of “good” cholesterol, otherwise known as high density lipoproteins (HDL). It’s the kind of cholesterol you want to have in high amounts because they lower the “bad” cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) circulating in your blood.

Antioxidants also protect your arteries from the damaging effects of “bad” cholesterol and prevent the formation of clogs in the arteries. By increasing your HDL cholesterol, decreasing your LDL cholesterol, and giving added protection to your heart, your risk for developing heart disease will be significantly reduced.

Health tips: The key to a healthy heart is to drink red wine in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption does more damage to your heart than good because it increases your blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Too much alcohol can also raise your risk for heart failure.

Women of all ages and men aged 65 years and older can drink one glass of red wine a day granted that they are healthy, while younger men can have as much as two. However, you should consult a doctor first to see if you can drink wine regularly – some individuals shouldn’t at all because of their poor health and family’s medical history of alcohol-related diseases. Besides drinking red wine, it is best that you change your overall lifestyle by exercising, adopting a well-balanced diet, and reducing stress to achieve a stronger and healthier heart.

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5. Red wine is good for your teeth.
Dentists used to warn against red wine and other alcoholic beverages. It is said that their acidity softens the enamel and makes your teeth more prone to cavities. But a recent study which appeared in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows red wine may actually improve dental health and prevent carries. Researchers discovered that red wine, with or without alcoholic content, can remove bacteria from the teeth.

How it works: Bacteria is damaging to the teeth because they form plaque and produce acids that eat away the protective enamel, leading to dental cavities. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste isn’t even enough to remove plaque formed by bacteria.

Red wine can help get rid of these bacteria because it contains grape seed. The phenolics which are naturally present in grape seed inhibit the growth of bacteria and metabolism of sugar in the mouth. Both these functions give red wine the ability to protect teeth against cavities.

Health tips: Enhance the protective quality of red wine by brushing your teeth after drinking. Red wine is still an alcoholic beverage which can dry your mouth and cause bacteria to flourish minutes after having a glass. And while red wine is less acidic than white wine, it is acidic nonetheless and may be bad for your teeth. Add lots of ice to your drink to decrease its harmful effects and rinse your mouth with water in between sips of red wine.

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6. Red wine improves memory.
As we grow old, structural changes in our brains affect our ability to recall memories and store new ones. Age-related memory loss is a normal part of our lives. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be prevented. Among the things that could help boost memory is red wine.

Research conducted by the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine reveals that the resveratrol found in red wine could help prevent memory loss caused by old age. Middle-aged rats that received resveratrol over the course of four week showed signs of improved memory and learning. Deeper analysis of their brains revealed structural improvements in their hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and mood changes. The study appeared in Scientific Reports early in 2015.

How it works: Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes. Because whole red grapes are used to make red wine, the resveratrol is preserved in concentrated amounts within this alcoholic beverage. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties as well as the capacity to regenerate blood vessels. Researchers discovered that it is these same properties that give red wine its ability to prevent age-related memory loss.

Health tips: Drink red wine as recommended and eat red grapes more often, especially when you are 50 years or older. Incorporate memory-enhancing foods in your diet and engage in physical and mental activities to get your brain working.

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7. Red wine prevents diabetes.
A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (or any red wine for that matter) can keep your blood sugar levels in check and thus, reduce the possibility of type 2 diabetes. Red wine has also been found to be beneficial in people who suffer from this condition. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts investigated the effects of red wine on people with type 2 diabetes. They discovered that those who drank the wine had more stable blood glucose levels than those who didn’t. Results of the groundbreaking study appeared on the Journal of Food Biochemistry in 2008.

In another study published in the Nutrition journal, people who took at least one 250 mg resveratrol supplement in a day for three months had lower blood sugar levels than those who didn’t take any.

How it works: Glucose is the main energy source of every cell in our body. Simple carbohydrates are converted to glucose in the small intestine and absorbed into the bloodstream with the aid of alpha-glucosidase. Red wine interferes with the activity of this enzyme and blocks the absorption of glucose by almost 100 percent. Researchers also believe that the resveratrol in red wine stimulates the production of insulin, an enzyme which regulates blood sugar levels. Keeping your blood glucose within the normal range is the key to preventing type 2 diabetes.

Health tips: Pair red wine with high-carbohydrate meals or snacks to avoid a significant increase in blood glucose levels. But remember not to drink more than what is recommended. Drinking resveratrol supplements may be better because a glass of red wine contains less than 1 mg of this antioxidant. The best way to prevent diabetes is to control your diet and to exercise regularly.

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8. Red wine boosts your immunity.
Surprise! In 2010, a study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The analysis involved more than 4,000 faculty members from five Spanish universities. They found that those who drank more than 14 glasses of wine in a year were 40 percent less likely to get a common cold.

A more recent study on the immune-boosting effects of red wine appeared in the Vaccine journal last 2013. It was conducted by researchers from the University of California, School of Medicine. They found that over a 14-month period, monkeys who drank wine in moderation showed signs of improved immunity compared to those who consumed wine in excessive amounts, and monkeys who drank sugar water.

How it works: Scientists have not fully investigated on the matter but they believe that the antioxidant content of red wine is responsible for its immune-boosting properties. The National Institutes of Health agrees and states that antioxidants help fight infection.

Health tips: Drink red wine in moderate amounts. For the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this means no more than 3 glasses in a day and 7 drinks in a week for women, and no more than 4 glasses in a day and 14 drinks in a week for men. It is important to note that daily limits vary for everyone depending on their age, gender, current health, and family background.