So you eat healthy and exercise, but it pains you to turn down your evening glass of wine. Maybe you shouldn’t! Over the past decade, more and more research has shown that wine offers a plethora of health benefits. Here are five reasons why you should keep drinking it (you know, for the sake of your health):  

Heart-friendly

Red wine has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and antioxidants it contains may help prevent cardiovascular disease and heart attacks by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and protecting against artery damage.  

Strong bones

Drinking milk isn’t the only way to prevent osteoporosis! Studies have shown that drinking wine in moderation each day may result in greater bone mineral density (the measure physicians use to determine bone strength and resilience).  

Cancer-fighting superpowers

It turns out the same phenolic compounds that lower heart disease risk also may slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Phenols have also been shown to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. An antioxidant in wine called resveratrol can put the brakes on the growth of liver cancer cells.  

1 glass of red wine = 1 hour at the gym?

Have our prayers been answered? Recent research suggests that a glass of red wine may be equivalent to an hour at the gym. Scientists say resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, might boost your heart rate and amp up muscle performance.  

Happiness

Did we almost miss the obvious reason to drink wine? It makes you happy! Actually, we’re not entirely joking – a team from several universities in Spain reported in the journal BMC Medicine that drinking wine may reduce the risk of depression.   Now we’re not telling you to binge drink to maximize health benefits, and we’re certainly not telling you to abandon your fitness routine or healthy eating habits. But we are suggesting that in moderation, wine can make a smart and tasty addition to your palette as you pursue a healthy lifestyle. So grab a glass of your favorite Lodi wine and start improving your health!