The Perfect Pairing: Red Wine with Popcorn

How do you enjoy your glass of red?

I love wine, my first sip was around thirteen years old, as my dad is a wine lover. I don't think I liked my first few sips then, at least not until high school age when drinking alcohol seemed cool and I started to learn how to enjoy and appreciate wine. It also isn't till recent years I have gotten into the habit of collecting pretty bottles that I think I might enjoy.

Have you heard of the TV series "Scandal"? If you have or have watched it, do you recall Olivia Pope enjoying her glass of red with popcorn as a quick dinner? Well, I picked up the liking of pairing reds with popcorn from her. Before watching the TV series, I have always sipped my wine with meats or simply by itself. I didn't particularly enjoy reds with cheese, as I feel the cheese alters the way the liquid gold is in my mouth, and I don't really like that. I preferred lightly salted butter crackers or a nice piece of rib steak.

There is something about these light airy crunchy white clouds that pairs extremely well with aromatic ruby red liquid gold. I remember enjoying this pairing for weeks straight, air-popped popcorn and a nice glass of red with Netflix. Ever since Scandal, reds with popcorn would definitely be my preferred way to enjoying reds. I find the pairing quite clever as it is a great way to fill the stomach while enjoying a glass of red, and it actually seems quite healthy...

After enjoying the pairing for weeks straight, I thought to myself, perhaps I should understand whether it is actually a good idea to pair the two together. So, I started my research...

Benefits of Red Wine

Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought to be heart-healthy and skin rejuvenating. The alcohol and antioxidants in the red wine may "help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood. But part of the benefit might be that antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol buildup."

Red wines are beneficial to health as they are able to:

1. Fights Free Radicals

2. Immune System Boosting

3. Increase Bone Density

4. Improve Cholesterol Levels

5. Decrease the Chance of a Stroke

6. Support Heart Health

7. Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

8. Fight Against Cancel

9. Progresses Cognitive Functions

10. Promotes Longevity

So, how is red wine able to achieve all of the above?

Red wines are rich in an antioxidant call polyphenols that may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. The polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that has gotten attention for its health benefits. Resveratrol in wine actually comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Although more researches are needed for more evidence to support the use of resveratrol on use for high cholesterol, cancer, heart disease, and many other conditions it is believed resveratrol might "expand blood vessels and reduce the activity of blood clotting. Some research suggests that resveratrol has weak estrogen effects and it may also decrease pain and swelling (inflammation)."

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is able to help the body fight free radicals and other stressors. When free radicals are fought off then the chances of inflammations are decreased, meaning resveratrol is great as an immune booster. But, not only is red wines great for immune health it is also great for our bone health as well, as it is also high in levels of silicon, which might help increase bone mineral density.

Okay, at this point of my research I have already convinced myself sipping my wine is in fact a great idea, but you know what, there's actually more.

"The phenols in red wine contain tannins, which hold procyanidins" which can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL - low-density lipoprotein) and increase good cholesterol (HDL - high-density lipoprotein). Therefore, it is believed red wine might be able to help with high blood pressure and medicinal red wines to help improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

"John Hopkins University Medical Center discovered that resveratrol from red grape skins, when turned into wine, can help protect against a stroke" -- as the phenols in wine can act as a natural blood thinner by breaking up blood clots that might cause a stroke. "The Israel Institute of Technology conducted a study that revealed red wine enhanced blood vessel cell health and improved blood circulation. As mentioned before, it contains phenols. A particular type known as tannins contains procyanidins which are especially beneficial for fighting off cardiovascular disease."

The Harvard Medical School researched and found resveratrol can activate an antiaging protein in the body, which then is great for your overall health and longevity when red wine is consumed in moderation (4 - 7 glasses per week). It can help men who are at risk for prostate cancer and also ward off colon and breast cancer. Not only so, but the resveratrol found in red wine is also linked to improving your body’s sensibility to insulin, which means a glass of red can also decrease your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Okay, so what if you are not concerned with any of the above?

Well, besides the benefits mentioned above, red wines also contain chemicals that can help your brain’s neurons from dying, thus improving your brain’s function and might even help protect against the onset of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.

After reviewing the benefits of having a glass of red, I am definitely convinced. Okay, now, let's take a look at the benefits of popcorn.

Benefits of Popcorn

Popcorn is a whole grain that is gluten-free (if you are sensitive to gluten, no worries here unless you are specifically concerned with corn), high in dietary fibre (1 cup = 1.3 grams of fibre), high in protein and phosphorus. Since popcorn is high in dietary fibre and with low-calorie count and it is low in energy density, popcorn is considered to be a food that can help with weight loss, it is only at 31 calories for 1 cup of air-popped popcorn. Not only so, since it is a whole grain and is high in fibre, but it is also believed to be linked to lowering heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and some other health issues.

So, the conclusion of my research is "red wine pairs very well with popcorn", not only does it make me happy and full, it is also great for my health.

Have you tried this pairing? If not, please do.

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Disclaimer: Please drink responsibly, within your limits, and never drink and drive. If you would like to drink wines for health benefits, please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first. Also, please base any health benefits information on what is provided by your doctor or healthcare provider. As the information is gathered from research online, please confirm information with your healthcare provider.

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Resources

https://facty.com/food/nutrition/10-healthy-reasons-to-pour-yourself-a-glass-of-red-wine-tonight-and-every-night/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281#:~:text=Antioxidants%20in%20red%20wine%20called,effects%20when%20consumed%20in%20moderation.

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-307/resveratrol

https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/jennifer-angelosante/posts/phenolics

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/06/18/popcorn-as-a-snack-healthy-hit-or-dietary-horror-show#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20fiber%2C%20popcorn,popcorn%20is%20its%20high%20satiety.

https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-eating/popcorn/