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The #1 Reason You Shouldn't Be Drinking Wine Every Day

It may have a reputation for being healthy, but that daily wine could be doing more damage than you think.
FACT CHECKED BY Kiersten Hickman

Wine has earned a reputation as a healthy drink, with many amateur sommeliers touting its benefits for blood pressure, heart health, and relaxation. However, there's a fine line between the occasional pour of Pinot and making wine part of your daily routine. If you happen to fall into the daily wine drinker camp, you might just be in for some less than pleasant side effects in terms of your overall health and wellbeing. Before you break out that corkscrew, read on to discover the number one reason you shouldn't drink wine every day. And if you want to improve your wellbeing, start with The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

You may gain weight.

woman trying to button jeans
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If you're looking to slim down, ditching that daily glass of wine might be a good place to start. A 2019 meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that "alcoholic beverage consumption significantly increased food energy intake," potentially leading to weight gain.

Considering that an average 5-oz glass of wine can contain upwards of 120 calories—and many people don't stop at just one—those drinks can be significant contributors to your weekly caloric intake if you're not careful.

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You may be more likely to develop rosacea.

woman with rosacea on cheeks
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If you find that your skin is looking particularly red or ruddy, your daily wine consumption could be the culprit.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that alcohol was "significantly associated" with rosacea risk among women.

In fact, according to research from the National Rosacea Society, among 353 individuals suffering from rosacea, red wine was named as the most common trigger for the condition, cited as a source of flare-ups among 72% of the individuals polled. And if you want to get glowing, ditch these Popular Drinks That May Cause Lasting Damage to Your Skin, Says Science.

Your sleep may suffer.

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While a nightly glass of wine may make you feel drowsy, it's not benefitting your sleep in the long term. According to a 2015 study published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine, regular alcohol use was associated with worse sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, and increased sleep disturbances among male study participants.

You may be more likely to develop cirrhosis.

young man at work with liver pain
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It's not just liquor consumption that increases your risk of scarring your liver—drinking wine daily can have the same effects. While research has shown that wine may be less likely to contribute to cirrhosis than liquor or beer, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that daily consumption of any type of alcohol was linked to an increase risk of cirrhosis among men. And if you want to protect that vital organ, start by nixing these Popular Foods That May Cause Lasting Damage to Your Liver, According to Science.

You may increase your lifetime risk of cancer.

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If you want to reduce your risk of developing cancer in your lifetime, making wine an occasional indulgence rather than a daily treat is a good place to start. So, just how much does regular wine consumption increase your cancer risk? According to 2019 research published in BMC Public Health, drinking a bottle of wine a week increased lifetime cancer risk by 1% in men and 1.4% in women.

Here are a few Surprising Side Effects Wine Has On Your Immune System, Says Science.

Sarah Crow
Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more about Sarah