How to Treat Digestive Problems With Wine

A popular addition to most meals, wine--when consumed in moderation--can provide a number of benefits to the digestive system. Considered by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency to be a psychological and social aid, the addition of up to two five-ounce glasses of wine during a meal can help facilitate the breaking down of food and bacteria in the stomach. However, the proper amount of wine intake can differ greatly from person to person and depends largely on factors of age, weight, gender, genetics and medical history.

Things You'll Need

• Corkscrew

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Instructions

• 1

  Assess your individual sensitivity to wine and alcohol in order to gather a maximum daily limit for consumption. Consult members of your family for any possible susceptibility to alcoholism and ask your family doctor about specific sensitivities you may have. Establish a fixed amount of servings you can safely consume.

• 2

  Pick out a wine for the meal you intend to prepare. For red and other hearty meats, red wine is a proven digestive aid for soothing the intestines and eliminating the accumulation of bad bacteria in the system. If necessary, select a wine low in sulphites to reduce the risk of headache.

• 3

  Uncork the wine while cooking to allow the molecules to breathe. Take two or three sips before you begin to eat in order to line the walls of the stomach with the wine, thereby stimulating the production of gastric juices for the meal.

• 4

  Drink one to two glasses throughout the meal in order to space out the alcohol accumulation and ensure a proper saturation of the food, particularly if you are over the age of 50, when hydrochloric acid production has begun to decrease. Take small sips throughout the meal for best results.