University of Barcelona biochemists and the Spanish National Research Council have found that drinking wine may help protect your skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure.
The beneficial flavinoids examined in grapes were found to have a positive effect by stopping the destructive chemical reaction process that destroys skin cells, leading to sun damage. Sun exposure accelerates the aging process, resulting in the faster development of wrinkles, pigmentation irregularities, redness, dryness and roughness. You can take advantage of these flavinoids by eating grapes or drinking wine. Cosmetic companies have expressed interest in the findings of this study – maybe we’ll see new sunscreen products that exploit the protective properties of grapes. Maybe a sunscreen in wine form?
Anyway, with the weekend here, you won’t have to feel so bad about drinking a little wine! Just don’t go overboard, as too much alcohol is known to be dehydrating and pro-inflammatory, leading to dull, red skin that develops wrinkles more easily. That’s a definite no-no.