Sangria: A Wine That Makes You Happy and Healthy!

Spanish for “blood,” sangria is a popular summer wine punch that is frequently served at gatherings. People simply can’t get enough of sangria, and for good reason. It is popular for formal occasions, dinner parties, cocktail events, and garden picnics. 

This light red wine-infused beverage has a pleasant, fruity flavour on the palate and just enough punch to give you a slight buzz. It’s understandable that it’s a party staple, but is it healthy? Does it give us more hangovers? Does it have any nutritional content? Let’s find out by reading this article on this special day for “Sangria”.

What is a Sangria? 

Sangria is an alcoholic punch made mostly of red wine and flavoured with chopped fruits. This drink has Spanish and Portuguese origins, and it is often drunk over ice in the summer. Because it contains alcohol, most people believe sangria to be a healthy beverage when eaten in moderation. 

Although red wine is the most common base, white wine is also used in some places. Other recipes ask for adding orange juice or brandy to enhance the flavour. Sangria is a sweet and fruity beverage, but its nutritional facts and calorie count will vary depending on the fruits used and the amount of alcohol added. 

Nutritional Profile

A 4-ounce portion of sangria typically contains 120 calories. The overall nutritional benefits may vary depending on what other liqueurs or fruits are included in addition to sugar. The calories might range between 200 and 250. It has fewer calories when made with lemon-lime soda or white wine.

In terms of nutrition, sangria contains antioxidants and vitamin C found in red wine, such as resveratrol.

Sangria Red’s complete nutritional profile, per 100 ml

Nutrition	Value
Total lipid (fat) [g]	0.04
Carbohydrate, by difference [g]	8.27
Energy	96
Alcohol, ethyl [g]	9.1
Water [g]	82.41
Sugars, total including NLEA [g]	7.16
Calcium, Ca [mg]	6
Iron, Fe [mg]	0.25
Magnesium, Mg [mg]	7
Phosphorus, P [mg]	12
Potassium, K [mg]	68
Sodium, Na [mg]	10
Zinc, Zn [mg]	0.11
Copper, Cu [mg]	0.02
Selenium, Se [µg]	0.2
Carotene, beta [µg]	1
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg]	0.3
Vitamin B-6 [mg]	0.03
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg]	0.2
Folate, food [µg]	1
Fatty acids, total saturated [g]	0
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g]	0.02
Folate, DFE [µg]	1

Health Advantages

Improves Gut Health

According to a 2018 study, red wine and grape polyphenols from sangria may boost gut flora, hence contributing to gut health.

This is due to the fact that red wine polyphenols may also work as prebiotics, which are substances that promote healthy gut microbes.

However, the research is limited, and more information is needed before doctors can comprehend the full impact of red wine on gut health.

After-stroke brain damage

A 2015 study found that the resveratrol in this wine may help protect against further brain damage after a stroke or central nervous system injury. This is because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cell death characteristics. 

Furthermore, in rats with traumatic brain damage, resveratrol lowers oxidative stress and cell death. Both trials, however, demonstrated the effects of resveratrol rather than red wine.

Helps your vision

This wine’s resveratrol may also help prevent eyesight degeneration by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.

These factors are involved in many types of age-related eye disorders that cause vision loss, including

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration

High blood pressure

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), resveratrol may lower blood pressure and raise HDL cholesterol levels. Furthermore, this red wine contains procyanidins, which help maintain and keep your blood vessels healthy.

Many people find alcoholic beverages calming. However, research released in 2017 and 2021 suggests that grape products and entire red grape juice could help lower blood pressure. Which in turn could be healthier alternatives.

However, it is crucial to note that excessive alcohol consumption can still result in elevated blood pressure, arrhythmia, or an abnormal cardiac beat.

Cardiovascular endurance

Many studies have found a correlation between moderate red wine consumption and Many studies have found a correlation between moderate red wine consumption and good heart health.

Also drinking sangria has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, which is a significant cause of sickness and mortality rates. 

However, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), it is uncertain whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship, and other factors may be involved. People who consume red wine in moderation, for example, may also live a healthier lifestyle or follow a Mediterranean diet.

Depression

Resveratrol may be able to enhance serotonin levels in the brain, which may help lessen depressive symptoms.

This wine may also regulate serotonin transmission inside the brain, a mechanism that fails when mood disorders are present.

However, in rare circumstances, alcohol may exacerbate depression. A study on depressed teens discovered that consuming 1-2 drinks or fewer per month or half a drink monthly may be connected with depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Furthermore, those who abuse alcohol or have an alcohol use problem are more likely to acquire a mood condition such as depression.

Life expectancy

Drinking red wine in moderation may lower the risk of various chronic diseases, as previously noted, and thus may help people live longer lives.

Furthermore, moderate red wine consumption can boost the expression of genes associated with lifespan. It may also help with metabolic health.

However, it should be mentioned that this wine is most likely the result of confounding factors such as nutrition. For example, red wine (Sangria) is a common component of the Mediterranean diet, an eating pattern associated with good health and longevity.

Advisories Measures

While there may be some health benefits to drinking wine, excessive alcohol use can raise health concerns.

The CDC offers advice regarding the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. They claim that between 2015 and 2019 in the United States, excessive alcohol usage contributed to over 140,000 deaths. This reduced the lives of those who passed away by an average of 26 years.

Furthermore, they claim that heavy drinking was a factor in 1 in 10 fatalities among adults aged 20 to 64.

Alcohol abuse poses a number of short-term health hazards, including

Injuries violent conduct alcohol poisoning risky sexual behaviour, such as sex without the use of contraception, miscarriage, or foetal alcohol disorder in pregnant women.

The following long-term dangers come with binge drinking:

Cardiovascular issues, fatty liver disease, liver damage, mental health issues, some cancers, and pancreatitis

Take a few sips!

Drinking red wine in moderation, such as “Sangria,” may provide health benefits such as improving heart, stomach, and brain health. This is due to the presence of chemicals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-improving properties.

However, alcohol is not safe for everyone, and excessive consumption can lead to major health concerns. People should consult their doctor about how to consume alcohol safely or how to restrict its use.