Does warm wine help with colds? Yes, it helps. However, in order for this tool to be as effective as possible, it is recommended to use it at the initial stage of the disease, since the active components that make up the drink are able to stop only a small number of microorganisms. When they have already managed to multiply, it is recommended to be treated with antibiotics.
Next, we consider the main features of the effects of warm wine on a sick body, as well as several recipes for preparing effective mulled wine.
On the chemical composition of hot wine
It should be noted that all the characteristics of the exposure, characteristic of warm wine, are determined by the characteristics of the composition of this drink. In its structure there is an increased content of mineral salts, fiber, as well as lipids and proteins, which can have a beneficial effect on the human body during a cold. Moreover, heated wine contains flavonoids, antioxidants, pyridoxine and thiamine - components that also help to overcome the activity of harmful microorganisms.
Considering the features of the chemical composition of this drink, it should be noted that it contains a huge number of trace elements, the action of which is aimed at improving the human body at the initial stage of the disease. Among them are calcium, manganese, copper, fluorine, zinc, iron, niacin, magnesium. In addition to all of the above, in the composition of warm wine there are acids useful for the body: ascorbic and panthenolic, as well as polyphenols.
About healing properties
What are the beneficial properties of the drink in question? First of all, it is worth noting that under the influence of a drink in the human body, blood circulation is significantly accelerated, due to which blood begins to flow much faster to parts of the body affected by bacteria. Under the influence of accelerated blood circulation, an accelerated process of elimination of toxic substances also occurs, due to which the affected mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is regenerated quite quickly.
Under the influence of warm wine, liquefaction of sputum accumulated in the lungs occurs. Due to this phenomenon, a normalization of the drainage function of the bronchi is observed in humans.
In the process of drinking warm wine there is a direct disinfection of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. Thanks to this, the inflammatory processes occurring in this area are rapidly inhibited.
The use of a small amount of mulled wine also allows you to relieve headaches caused by spasms of blood vessels, which is also directly related to the beneficial effects of warm wine.
When to drink mulled wine?
Treatment with warm wine for colds must be started immediately after recognition of the first symptoms of the disease. The main indicators for the use of mulled wine are the following symptoms:
- congestion of the respiratory tract, as well as a pronounced runny nose;
- the appearance of dry or wet cough;
- a feeling of muscle weakness;
- headache;
- discomfort in the throat;
- hyperthermia (in other words, elevated body temperature);
- sweating.
Contraindications
It should be noted that not everyone can drink wine with a cold. Specialists in the field of medicine determine a certain circle of people for whom the use of this type of drink is strictly contraindicated. These include, first of all, hypertension, as spices combined with warm wine can increase blood pressure, which can lead to poor health. It is also contraindicated for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, because warm wine can expand the capillaries, which will badly affect the well-being of heart failure and vegetovascular dystonia.
Is it possible to drink wine with a cold for those who have problems with the health of the gastrointestinal tract? The use of this type of drink is contraindicated for ulcers and gastritis, since warm wine can affect the pH level.
Drinking hot wine is not recommended during pregnancy, since such a drink can increase the tone of the uterus, which can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Classic Mulled Wine
As you know, mulled wine is a warm wine. For colds, it is best to use such a drink, made on the basis of dry wine, since it contains the largest number of useful components that help to cope with harmful microorganisms much faster. Practice shows that quite often for the preparation of warm wine, preference is given to sweet and semi-sweet varieties of the drink (Cabernet, Cahors, etc.).
In the process of making warm wine, spices must be used. Very often add cinnamon, star anise and cardamom. Also in the composition of mulled wine, citrus fruits are often found, which contain a large amount of vitamins.
Mulled wine is a spicy drink, for the preparation of which various spices are used. In order to avoid getting them in the throat while drinking warm wine, it is worth filtering through a sieve before serving the mulled wine.
Classic recipe
With a cold, red wine, prepared according to the classic recipe, perfectly helps to cope with pathogens. To prepare a classic mulled wine, you need to take:
- 700 ml of wine;
- 0.5 cups of hot water;
- 7 buds of dried cloves;
- 0.5 tsp nutmeg;
- 0.5 tsp chopped cinnamon;
- 2 tablespoons of sugar.
To prepare mulled wine, you need to combine cloves and nutmeg in one container, pour them with water and boil well. In a separate bowl, you need to heat the wine to a temperature of 60 degrees, add sugar with chopped cinnamon into it, and then remove it from the stove. After this, hot water with spices should be poured into the wine and, mixed, consumed in a warm form.
Warm wine with honey
It is known that with a cold, warm wine with honey helps to cope perfectly with pathogens, preventing them from multiplying. To prepare honey mulled wine, you need to take the following ingredients:
- 500 ml of wine;
- 0.5 tsp chopped cinnamon;
- 4 tablespoons of natural honey;
- 6 clove buds;
- 4 things. dried star anise.
To prepare a healthy and tasty mulled wine, you need to combine wine, honey, and all spices indicated in the list of ingredients in one dish. After that, it is necessary to warm the future drink over low heat, stirring it periodically so that the honey dissolves faster. As soon as the wine is heated to a temperature of 60-70 degrees, the container with it must be removed from the heat, and the mulled wine should be poured into a suitable dish and drunk. In no case should such a composition be boiled, since honey emits toxic substances with strong heating.
Citrus Mulled Wine
For the treatment of warm wine with a cold, you can cook citrus mulled wine, the aroma of which will definitely delight all households. To create such a drink you need to take:
- 350 ml of wine (necessarily dry);
- 3 dry stars of star anise;
- 4 slices of lemon;
- 3 tablespoons of orange liquor.
In order to properly prepare the drink in question, it is necessary to heat the wine over low heat, during which add the spices indicated in the recipe, as well as orange liquor. Without bringing the mass to a boil, you need to remove it and, adding lemon, let the drink brew for 10-15 minutes, and then drink it.
Mulled wine with apple
The recipe for this spicy and incredibly aromatic drink is quite simple. To prepare such a mulled wine, you need to take:
- orange;
- 2 sweet and sour apples;
- 750 ml of red wine;
- some spices to taste (cardamom, anise, cinnamon, cloves);
- glass of water;
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
To make mulled wine with apples, you need to take a glass of water and bring it to a boil. Spices should be put in boiling water and, removing the liquid mass from the fire, let it brew.
While the spices are infused, it is necessary to prepare the wine. To do this, it must be poured into a separate container and, having folded there apples cut into slices, as well as the zest removed from one orange, put on a slow fire. Bringing the mass to a temperature of 80 degrees, you need to remove it from the stove and combine with hot water infused with spices. After 30 minutes, honey should be added to the drink and, after mixing, drink in small sips.
Mulled wine prepared according to this recipe will be an excellent find in the off-season, as well as in the winter evening. It can be used not only for the sensation of cold symptoms, but also for the prevention of diseases.
How to maintain the beneficial properties of the drink during the preparation process?
In order for the wine not to lose its positive properties, the basic rules must be observed in the process of its preparation.
First of all, you need to cook mulled wine exclusively in enameled or glassware. During the thermalization process, the drink cannot be heated above 60 degrees, otherwise a significant part of the useful components contained in it will simply evaporate. In the event that the recipe for wine for colds involves the use of beekeeping products, it is not advisable to add them to a hot drink - it is best to do this at the end of its preparation.
How to drink hot wine?
To use warm red wine for colds should be in accordance with the rules. In particular, medical professionals strongly recommend doing this before going to bed. Ceramic cups as well as glass glasses are ideal containers for this type of drink.
It should be noted that doctors have established a daily norm for the use of this type of drink - it is 200 ml per day. It is important to remember that mulled wine is, whatever one may say, an alcoholic drink, so do not abuse it. Otherwise, the well-being can only be worsened due to a decrease in the reactivity of the immune system under the influence of alcohol.
About the alcohol component of mulled wine
Practice shows that many people, even realizing the benefits of the drink in question to relieve symptoms of the common cold, prefer to abandon it because it consists of alcohol. In fact, after using a standard portion of mulled wine (180-200 ml), it is impossible to get intoxicated. This factor is due to the fact that before using it as a drink, the wine is subjected to heat treatment, as a result of which it simply loses its strength.
Fragrant mulled wine with cinnamon, honey and orange is perhaps the best moment of a cold winter and dank autumn.