Who doesn’t want a glass of champagne at the end of the day? If you associate this drink with celebrations and high price tags, it might not be your go-to, but maybe it should be. There are numerous health benefits associated with regular champagne consumption. For instance, a recent animal study explored the effects of daily champagne consumption on memory, and the results were remarkable (via Science Alert). It showed that consuming champagne, as opposed to other alcohols or none at all, may help improve recall. Credit goes to phenolic acid, a compound found in the grapes used to make champagne.
Unfortunately, while the study is definitely compelling, it’s still just early-stage animal testing. We likely won’t know for a while what the effect of phenolic acid is on our human brains. However, there is a lot we do know about the benefits — and drawbacks — of drinking champagne every day.
Drinking champagne every day could lengthen your life
While no one has yet discovered the secret to living well into your 90s, a glass of champagne a day might help. According to Spoon University, Queen Elizabeth II, who is 94, drinks a glass of champagne every night before bed. Of course, she’s not the only one. Vine Repair reported that a resident in a care home in England (who celebrated her 108th birthday last year) credits her longevity to champagne. In fact, it’s the only drink the home’s staff sees her finish.
This may seem too good to be true, but there is reason to believe that a daily glass (or two) of champagne could have some lasting health benefits that help boost your longevity — from lowering your blood pressure to decreasing your risk for heart disease. According to research from the University of Reading, two glasses of champagne a day promotes circulation and has a positive effect on blood vessel function (via Science Daily). The reason for this is a type of chemical compound in the champagne called polyphenols, which slow down the removal of nitric oxide from the blood, allowing it more time to act on blood vessels and improve blood circulation. In turn, this decreases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Drinking champagne every day can cause weigh gain
There are plenty of considerations to make before consuming any alcohol regularly — and just one of those is the number of calories you’re sipping. It’s easy to forget that alcohol is the second most calorie-dense nutrient after fat, with about seven calories per gram (via Vox). The good news is that a glass of champagne contains fewer calories than an average glass of wine (around 84, compared to about 121 for a glass of white and 125 for a glass of red) per LiveStrong. But it’s still empty calories that you’re consuming, which hurts your waistline in the long run.
What’s more, the CO2 in a fresh glass of champagne actually makes you tipsy faster due to the bubbles (via NewScientist). It’s up to you if that’s a good thing or not, but odds are good the more tipsy you feel, the more likely you are to get the “drunchies” (via Healthline). This dreaded condition makes you want to eat more high-fat foods, adding even more unintended calories to your diet.
Drinking champagne every day can lead to tooth decay
Champagne and its cousin prosecco can do a number on your teeth. According to cosmetic dentist Mervyn Druian, the combination of acidity, carbonation, and sugar are a recipe for tooth disasters that can include your teeth coming out of the gums (via the Independent). If you’re a regular champagne drinker, check your gums for a thin white line where they meet the tooth, as this is evidence you might need dental intervention to prevent “prosecco smile,” per Druian. Even if you don’t see your gums reacting, a daily glass of sparkling wine can also cause increased tooth sensitivity and accelerate enamel decay.
So, now you have the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to a daily glass of bubbly. As always, enjoy champagne in moderation and if you have any serious concerns about its effects, reach out to your doctor.
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