Wine is full of healthy polyphenols, but it’s far from the only drink that’s good for your gut health, as a scientist has explained
If you’re looking for a drink full of polyphenols, red wine could be a good choice. As the Mayo Clinic explains, the antioxidants may help prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol, and prevent damage to blood vessels.
Polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory properties and can improve your gut health. However, alcohol is also linked to some cancers, meaning it should be enjoyed in moderation.
The good news is that many drinks, including popular beverages like coffee and fruit juice, contain polyphenols. Jordan Haworth, a physiologist with a special interest in gut health, shared a list of recommendations on his popular Instagram account @Mrguthealth.
Suggesting ‘red wine alternatives for gut health’, Jordan said: “You don’t need to drink a glass of red wine every day on a Mediterranean diet. I mean you can if you want to, but here’s some other ways to drink those polyphenols.
“Pressed juices like pomegranate, grape and cranberry are loaded with polyphenols. Green tea and matcha. In fact, the Green Med study showed that drinking two to three cups a day led to better improvements in heart and gut health compared to the traditional Med diet.
“Coffee, yes, even coffee contains polyphenols. Brewed coffee also contains soluble fibre, so it’s a win-win for gut health. Alcohol-free red wine gives you all the benefits of those polyphenols but without the headache if you can’t just stick to one glass.”
It’s worth noting that, as with most things, moderation is key. For instance, the NHS advises not drinking more than four cups of coffee daily because it can increase blood pressure.
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Due to its high sugar content, it’s also advised not to drink more than 150ml of fruit juice per day. As for alcohol, the NHS says, ‘It’s recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more.’