The Friday night glass: could it be better than taking a walk?

Just as we all sit down for our Friday evening tipple, why not give ourselves a pat on the back for it? If you love your red wine (let’s face it: who doesn’t), there is some great news: drinking a glass of wine is equal to an hour of exercise!

So how is this possible? Surely sitting down with a glass instead of going for a walk isn’t the same thing? It turns out they actually might be. A study published in the Journal of Physiology made the wonderful discovery that will be welcome news to those of us who might feel a little bit guilty when we have a red. Resveratrol, a natural compound in certain fruits, nuts and red wine, can mimic exercise. The investigator who led the study, Jason Dyck, said “resveratrol could help [people] who want to exercise but are physically incapable”.

If you prefer your white wine, sorry, the magic of resveratrol doesn’t apply however wine in all its forms is the most calorie friendly option of alcohol, particularly if you are watching your waist. On that note, drinking the whole bottle won’t equate to more exercise, it has to be just one glass in a sitting. As if this wasn’t enough good news, red wine is great for your heart and cholesterol, plus it can be a mouthwash thanks to its ability to reduce bad bacteria.

Any excuse’ll do…so, bottoms up!

What is your favourite wine? When do you like to drink it and with who? Tell us tonight!