This Kind of Cocktail Helps Balance Your Blood Sugar, Protects Your Memory, and Stops Fat Cell Storage

At the end of a long winter day, there aren’t many things nicer than curling up with a delicious drink. Red wine is perfect for cold weather, but a cocktail is fun sometimes, too. Wouldn’t it be nice if red wine cocktails were actually good for you? Guess what — they are! Researchers say that red wine can actually help keep your memory sharp, prevent fat cells from being stored in your body, and help balance your blood sugar.

Read on to find out more — and then try one of the delicious red wine cocktails below. They’re brimming with healthy compounds to help keep you forever young. Cheers to that!

HOW RED WINE REVERSES AGING

Protects Memory

Sipping red wine can keep your brain sharp, say Oregon State University scientists. Their study found that enjoying one six ounce glass daily can cut your risk of memory lapses in half, plus reduce your risk of developing dementia by up to 58 percent. The credit goes to phenolics in red wine that eliminate damaging free radicals and relax arteries to improve blood flow to the brain.

Blocks Fat Storage

A plant compound in red wine called piceatannol blocks receptors on fat cells, preventing them from growing and storing new fatty tissue, say researchers at Purdue University. The effect is so powerful that treating yourself to a daily glass cuts the formation of new fat tissue by 80 percent.

Balances Blood Sugar

A daily tipple of red wine can reduce the risk of pancreatic slowdowns by 45 percent, say Danish investigators. They found that compounds in the sip prod the pancreas to output more insulin to keep blood sugar steady.

Cranberry Citrus Sangria

• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 3 cups cranberries
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 cups sparkling juice

In a pitcher, combine first three ingredients. Serve in glasses; top with juice. Makes 6 servings. Bonus! Compounds in oranges can help reduce anxiety by 50 percent.

Spiked Hot Cocoa Craze

• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a pot, heat milk over medium heat until simmering. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Remove from heat; add wine and vanilla. Pour into mugs. If desired, top with whipped cream. Makes 6 servings. Bonus! Chocolate contains nutrients that boost focus by 45 percent.

Red Wine Mint Refresher

• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 ⁄ 2 cup cranberry juice
• 1 Tbs. mint simple syrup
• 1 cup lemon-lime soda

In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add first 4 ingredients; shake well. Strain into glasses; top with soda. Makes 6 servings. Bonus! Malic acid in cranberry juice wards off GI woes.

This article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.