Over the years there has been both negative and positive findings for the effects of drinking wine on the body. Nobody likes to hear the bad stuff, so its quite refreshing when something a little more positive hits the news. For example, when it was proven that drinking the odd glass of red wine thinned the blood and reduced the risk of heart attack, you could practically here the corks popping around the country. Now there maybe another reason to dust of the glassware as scientists have found that wine actually aids digestive function.
A study that took place in Manchester, England recorded results from a study that involved giving some people a glass of wine (either white, red, rosé or champagne) to drink each evening for 2 month.The main finding from the study was that digestive transit was improved and there was less reported digestive discomfort from the participants who consumed a glass of wine in the evening each day. Although white wine and rosé still had a positive effect on digestion, red wine had the biggest impact. Unfortunately, champagne did not seem to help digestion so you can put those champagne glasses away again for the time being. Also, you cannot indulge yourself with wine and expect the same positive effects on digestion, as all the benefits are lost if you exceed more than one glass a day.
The suggestion has been made by those who conducted the research that although wine will dehydrate the body if you drink enough of it, small amounts relax digestive muscles and help to regulate their peristaltic contractions. This allows food to be transported through the various digestive pipes easier and with less obstruction. It is also worth taking into account that this study was conducted over a reasonably small space of time and there is no telling what the effect would be on the long term. The overruling advice seems to be that you can enjoy the odd glass of wine without too much issue and it may even be good for you, but if you start feeling unwell or find youself drinking your wine out of glass vases then you may need to see a doctor