A glass of wine coupled with a movie and a bowl of popcorn is a wonderful combination for leisure time. Who would’ve thought, however, that drinking wine after a workout can actually improve your health and exercising performance, as well?
Moderately drinking a glass of wine after a workout has been proven to help replenish the energy our bodies lose after working out while burning fat and keeping it off long after you’re out of the gym. Along with improving cardiovascular health, drinking wine in addition to regular exercise can help cure atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Read more to find out why.
Wine Helps Improve Heart Health
We’ve all have heard how drinking wine can be extremely beneficial for our cardiovascular health, but a lot of people don’t realize that the heart benefits of wine are only effective when it is coupled with regular exercise.
According to a study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology, people who consumed a moderate amount of wine and worked out as little as two times per week had lower sugar and cholesterol levels than individuals that just drank. This caused the researchers to conclude that moderate wine consumption coupled with exercise is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Wine Can Be Our Personal Workout Motivator
It’s normal to feel unmotivated and need an extra push at the gym from time to time. Instead of finding a personal trainer, try reaching for a glass of wine after your workout. Researchers have discovered that wine can release endorphins in our brain we use to reward or motivate ourselves after a strenuous workout.
When the endorphins you get from exercising are combined with endorphins from drinking a glass of wine, it creates a chemical reaction that our bodies will remember and will want to replicate over and over again. Meaning, we will start to subconsciously encourage ourselves to workout the following day in order to have a glass of wine.
Drinking Wine Can Help Raise Your Confidence
Drinking a glass of wine can make you feel a little tipsy, but who would’ve thought the grape alcohol that tastes so good could actually make us feel good too.
In a 2014 study, researchers concluded that consuming moderate amounts of wine in a social setting can enhance positive emotions while improving social bonding. Sometimes going to the gym might seem intimidating and may even make you feel a little uncomfortable.
Don’t let that prevent you from getting healthy. Instead, toast to good health with a couple workout buddies to celebrate your hard work. It will serve as inspiration for your next workout day.
Wine Can Help Burn Fat Long After Your Workout
If the previously mentioned benefits of wine don’t make you want to go out and purchase your own bottle, then the fact that wine can help you burn fat might. Researchers at both the University of Florida and the University of Nebraska discovered that ellagic acid, a compound found in grapes, dramatically slowed the growth of new and existing fat cells while boosting the metabolism of the fatty acids in the liver cells.
But remember, although drinking wine can slow fat cell growth, it does not burn fat on its own; it must be coupled with exercise.
Why You Should Add Wine to Your Workout Regimen
So, any time you feel unmotivated and need a little extra pep in your step to get your workout moving, just remember you have a cold glass of wine waiting for you at home. Not only is drinking wine enjoyable, but it has proven to be beneficial for your health as well.
Just remember, the benefits of wine are only effective in combination with regular exercise. Working out can help you shed the pounds, but a moderate amount of wine can also help you keep it off.
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