33 Red Wine: Good for the Gut RAISE A GLASS FOR THIS good news: Drinking red wine can improve your gut health, which is crucial to overall wellbeing. A study in the journal Gastroenterology found that red-wine drinkers have a greater variety of bacterial species in their guts-a marker of gut health-than those who do not drink red wine. When the mix of healthy and unhealthy microbes in the gut is out of balance, the disparity can lower immune system effectiveness, cause weight gain and raise cholesterol. The beneficial effects of red wine likely come from polyphenols, naturally occurring chemicals in fruit, which are found in high levels in the grape skins used to make red wine. Polyphenols are fuel for healthy microbes. PHOTO BY STOCKSY PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES Enjoy your drinks in moderation. Having red wine just once every two weeks helps your gut. You can also improve your digestive health by eating more fiber (found in fruits and vegetables) and fermented foods (such as kimchi and sauerkraut). ACT ON IT VIM & VIGOR SUMMER 2020 FdVSU20_32-35_ThisJustIn.indd 33 2/18/20 9:41 AM