What’s comforting, spicy and perfect for warming up the body and soul during the holidays? Certainly the Bloody Mary is an acceptable answer, but in this case we are talking about the hot wine. In other words, a beverage which, although it is particularly popular in the East of France, was nevertheless born in Rome 2,000 years ago. But if it is good for the mood and the taste buds, is it also good for our health, as we often hear in the spans of the Christmas markets?
Lots of fun, no real benefits
Vitamins (thank you orange), trace elements, mineral salts, cinnamon and cloves to improve transit and fight against pain or bacteria, anti-inflammatory honey: on paper, Glühwein (in German in the text) combines the virtuous ingredients and therefore the health benefits.
However, if doctor Jean-Christophe Nogrette recognizes that it is indeed “a source of satisfaction which is a marker of cultural and social conviviality in certain regions”, he also explains that one should not seek “no profit” in its consumption. And don’t abuse it. For what ? First of all because you can already find all its benefits in your daily dishes, as long as they are correctly composed: “With a rich and varied diet, no one lacks vitamins, for example, except the poorest and certain patients with very damaged intestines.
On the other hand, if the alcohol it contains – let us remember that it is wine – is not “not dangerous in moderation”, he can however dehydrate you and above all give you a fake warm feeling. Alcohol indeed dilates the blood vessels on the surface of the skin and raises its temperature… but lowers the quantity of blood supposed to warm the vital organs.
In short, if nothing prevents you from enjoying a good glass of mulled wine between two gift openings, don’t forget that its qualities are above all taste. And as Doctor Nogrette says: “If it brings satisfaction, which is an excellent anti-fatigueit also works with a chocolate or a hug!” Which, them, will not prevent you from taking the wheel afterwards.