It’s time to ditch the prosecco and opt for something with a slice of winter wellbeing this Christmas.
Mulled wine has long brought on the festive feels, but its origins are steeped in medicinal benefits.
Romans first heated red wine as a means of defending their bodies against the harsh winter months and, as its popularity continued throughout the Middle Ages, various spices were added to avoid sickness.
This could mean that a glass or two over the festive season is good for us – so, what are you waiting for?
Bottoms up!
1 YOU’RE LESS LIKELY TO CATCH A COLD
Vino tinto, the main ingredient of mulled wine, is packed full of antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, all which are immune boosting. ‘Flavonoids have antiviral properties, which means they can help build up your immune system and, in theory, keep those winter colds at bay,’ says Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy*. Citrus fruits added to the wine amp up the vitamin C content and many of the traditional spices thrown in also have warming, antiviral powers – brilliant at staving off colds and flu.
2 IT COULD MAKE YOU GASSY
Mulled wine contains many gutfriendly ingredients. ‘Cinnamon is good for gastrointestinal problems, nutmeg helps soothe indigestion and star anise contains anethole – a compound that helps to relieve tummy spasms and wind,’ says Dr Lee. Just don’t overindulge, as this may bring on the festive flatulence.
3 YOUR MEMORY MIGHT IMPROVE
Resveratrol, a chemical found in red grapes and therefore red wine, has been linked to slowing down memory loss.
‘Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that has been proven to boost memory and cognitive function, meaning that it could potentially help keep the brain healthy,’ says Dr Lee. ‘It has a
Mulled wine contains many gutfriendly ingredients. 'Cinnamon is good for gastrointestinal problems, nutmeg helps soothe indigestion and star anise contains anethole – a compound that helps to relieve tummy spasms and wind,' says Dr Lee.
Although mulled wine has a lower alcohol content, when over-consumed, the natural and added sugars in mulled wine can spike your blood sugar levels rapidly, which can also cause headaches the next day. This is due to hyperglycemia, or reactive hypoglycemia, an over or under-compensation of glucose in your bloodstream.
“The cinnamon in mulled wine has been shown to have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, reducing swelling and restoring normal tissue function. “This may help conditions like arthritis. The antioxidants in red wine and in cloves can also help reduce inflammation.
Once opened, mulled wine is known to only maintain its quality for 3 to 5 days. You will be able to determine whether your mulled wine has gone bad by assessing its appearance, aroma, and taste.
Of course you can get drunk drinking Glühwein: it has alcohol in it. Either your friends are more used to drinking than you are, or they were actually drunker than you realized.
The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
But no matter what you start with, and no matter all the other variables, if you're really keeping mulled wine warm for 10 hours, it's very likely some—but definitely not all—of the alcohol will evaporate. But the flavors of the mulled wine will also start to fade and get muddier after hours and hours of heat exposure.
Mulled wine contains many gutfriendly ingredients. 'Cinnamon is good for gastrointestinal problems, nutmeg helps soothe indigestion and star anise contains anethole – a compound that helps to relieve tummy spasms and wind,' says Dr Lee. Just don't overindulge, as this may bring on the festive flatulence.
Yes. Even though the spiced wine is heated, most of the alcohol remains. I suppose you could make a batch of mulled wine with a non-alcoholic wine and that would not have alcohol.
On the off chance that you have mulled wine left over, you can store it right in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely and place it in airtight jars or containers for up to 3 days.
However, mulled wine does not include cucumber or candied cherries. The heat used in mulling encourages greater flavours from the citrus and the spices but also reduces the alcohol content, hence the common addition of a slug of spirit or liqueur just before serving.
This drink is consumed enormously in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, where it is called Glögg and Gløgg respectively (terms meaning "mulled wine" in each language). In Germany, as in most Germanic countries, it is mainly consumed under the name Glühwein.
As its popularity continued to grow throughout the middle ages, Europeans would mix heated wine with spices because they believed it would promote health and avoid sickness. They would also use herbs and flowers as natural sweeteners to make unpalatable wines taste a lot nicer.
Festive Sweets: Traditional Christmas treats like gingerbread, mince pies, or stollen are an excellent pairing. Their spices harmonise with the wine's own blend of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Savoury Snacks: Try a glass with some pigs in blankets, sausage rolls, or even a simple bruschetta.
Although allergies to wine and other types of alcohol are rare, they're possible. Wine contains a variety of allergens, including grapes, yeast, and ethanol. If you have a wine allergy, you may experience symptoms such as a rash, nasal congestion, wheezing, or a tingling sensation around your mouth and throat.
Alcohol can affect the digestive system in various ways, which may lead to diarrhea. Alcohol can cause agitation in the intestines, which can cause them to speed up digestion. Irritation and changes in water absorption can also lead to diarrhea. Many people experience diarrhea after drinking alcohol.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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