Prosecco is one of the most deliciously decadent drinks around, and there’s nothing more fun than partaking in a glass or two on a night out.
While drinking too much is always bad for you, it turns out that Prosecco does have some unexpected health benefits. In the name of serious research – and the forthcoming festive season – we’ve dug out a few of our favourites…
It can be good for your heart
We always knew that Prosecco held a very special place in our hearts – but we didn’t know it was working wonders while it was in there.
According to research conducted by scientists at the University of Reading, those boozy bubbles contain polyphenols (aka plant chemicals laden with antioxidant properties). This helps to lower your blood pressure and increase your circulation – which reduces your chances of having a stroke and gives your heart a health boost.
Sip a glass once a week to reap the benefits, says Jeremy Spencer, PhD, the senior researcher.
It can absolutely lift your spirits
Pun intended, obviously.
Writing in The Healing Power of Champagne (an important tome that we definitely need to add to our bookshelves), Tran Ky says that sparkling wine contains natural trace elements of zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Which is a pretty big deal, especially when you consider the fact that all of them have proven to be serious mood boosters. Guess that explains our Prosecco highs, eh?
It can help prevent respiratory problems
Prosecco may take our breath away, but it’s actually good for our respiratory systems; like so many other varieties of white wine, the bubbly tipple is believed to keep lung tissues healthy.
It can boost your sex life
Prosecco is here to help us climax – and, yes, we’re deadly serious.
According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, women who drink one to two glasses of bubbles enjoy heightened sexual desire. Again, it’s all thanks to the drink’s rich antioxidant profile; this triggers nitric oxide production in the blood, which relaxes artery walls, and increases blood flow down south, creating feelings of sexual excitement.
It can aid your memory
While you may alcohol pegged as terrible for your memory (it’s always harder to remember who you’ve texted after a night out), it turns out Prosecco could be good news when it comes to boosting your cognitive functions.
Research from The University of Reading has shown that drinking one or two glasses of bubbly a week may counteract the memory loss associated with ageing.
There is even some evidence to suggest that it could even help delay the onset of degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia – although, as the study was not conducted on humans, health experts have urged Prosecco fans to err on the side of caution.
Professor Jeremy Spencer, who conducted the study, cautions: “We encourage a responsible approach to alcohol consumption and our results suggest that a very low intake of one to two glasses a week can be effective.”
It can lower your risk of diabetes
A 2009 study in Canada showed that all wines, including sparklers like Prosecco, can lower your risk of contracting diabetes by a cool 13%.
However they do warn that people who already have diabetes should take care when drinking alcohol; drink slowly, eat carbohydrate-rich foods, and be aware that glucagon (a treatment for low blood glucose) will not work when alcohol is in your blood system.
It could help to prevent cancer
Just like red wine, Prosecco contains flavonoids that have antioxidant properties, which can help prevent cancer. In fact, according to a study from the University of Barcelona, white wines may have a higher antioxidant capacity than red wines.
If you fancy boosting the flavonoid content of your tipple, we recommend popping an antioxidant-rich strawberry or two into your champagne flute – and be sure to gobble them up come the end of the drink, too.
It guards against colds
We don’t condone drinking during a cold (you need to stick to the water and stay hydrated, folks), but according to one study, drinking a glass of Prosecco could ward against getting sick in the first place. Just like red wine, it contains antioxidants – and, as such, it can reduce your chances of getting the sniffles by a whopping 60%.
We’ll raise a glass to that…
It’s great news for your skin
All those antioxidants we keep talking about? Studies have proven time and time again that it detoxifies, smooths, evens, and plumps your skin – and it’s particularly good for those who suffer from oily skin, or people who have to deal with breakouts on a regular basis.