5 health benefits of mulled wine

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A drink made from red grape wine warmed with sugar and spices has been known for a long time. In the cold season, a glass of mulled wine is a great way to warm up and cheer up. However, mulled wine has not only tonic properties. Today we will talk about its beneficial effects on human health.

 

1. Life extension

Red wine contains a large amount of flavonoids, which are effective antioxidants. In addition, grape juice is rich in resveratrol, which activates the body's defenses and slows down the aging process of cells. It is not for nothing that there are so many centenarians among the population of regions with ancient traditions of winemaking. This substance is observed in maximum quantities in those grape varieties that are cultivated in more severe conditions and themselves have increased resistance to adverse climatic factors.

 

2. Activation of the brain

Mulled wine expands blood vessels and strengthens their walls, normalizes blood pressure, improves blood composition and its rheological properties, and reduces the risk of blood clots. It has been established that the drink helps to survive stress, calms and stabilizes the nervous system. Regular moderate inclusion of mulled wine in the diet reduces the likelihood of strokes and Alzheimer's disease.

 

3. Weight correction

In the cold season, many people gain weight. This is facilitated by the use of more high-calorie foods than in summer and a decrease in physical activity.

Mulled wine is rich in substances that normalize the work of the digestive organs and endocrine glands. The drink is especially useful for those who like high-calorie meals, because it helps the body cope with the digestion of heavy foods and avoid the accumulation of excess fat.

 

4. Fight against pathogenic microflora

Mulled wine contains biologically active components that suppress the vital activity of some streptococci, namely those that provoke the development of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and caries. Therefore, warmed wine with spices is appropriate in the diet of patients prone to these ailments.

 

5. Help with colds

To alleviate the symptoms of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections, patients are usually recommended to drink plenty of warm water. Mulled wine can also be added to fruit drinks, compotes and teas that are useful in this situation. This drink warms well, activates the immune system, adds strength, and its spices soothe coughs.

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How to prepare mulled wine

Mulled wine is made from red table wine (dry, semi-sweet or sweet) with an alcohol content of no more than 16%. The classic recipe also includes water (about 15% of the volume of wine), cinnamon, cloves and a small amount of sugar. You can take other spices: grated nutmeg, black or allspice in grains, ginger root, cardamom, marjoram, saffron, barberry, anise seeds, etc. Sometimes sugar is replaced with honey (especially when preparing mulled wine for those with a cold), they flavor the drink orange or lemon zest, enrich its taste with berries or fruits.

 

Mulled wine is usually prepared as follows

• Pour the spices with water and bring the mixture to a boil, and then insist under the lid for 10 minutes.
• Strain the infusion, add sugar and pour in the wine.
• The resulting mixture is slowly heated to 65-70 °C, poured into ceramic dishes and infused for another 10 minutes.
• Dried fruits, fresh fruits or berries are added.

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When the mixture is heated, a significant amount of alcohol evaporates, it is saturated with the aroma of spices and becomes palatable and healthy. Reheating the drink is not recommended: it may lose both taste and aroma. Mulled wine is prepared in small portions for immediate consumption.

The drink is not recommended for people with peptic ulcer and individual intolerance to red wine. If you are allergic to certain types of spices, you can simply not include them in the composition of the drink. Those who should not drink alcohol (the elderly, children, pregnant and breastfeeding) can make mulled wine based on red grape juice.