“He who drinks wine lives for a hundred years”, says an ancient Italian proverb. “And it shows half of it …”, we might add.
In fact, today there are many uses of wine in the world of beauty and, more generally, of well-being. Not just wine to drink, therefore, but wine that makes you feel good!
The secret is in its powerful antioxidants , such as flavonoids , capable of making the skin more elastic and promoting cell turnover, and polyphenols , capable of counteracting free radicals, the main causes of aging.
Among these, the magical resveratrol stands out for its virtue and potential of use, a natural antioxidant present in the skin of red grapes that has earned the wine the reputation of long-life elixir , thanks to its important cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. aging.
In a study of the 90s conducted by researcher Serge Renaud and known as the “French Paradox”, it was highlighted how France, despite the massive use of foods rich in saturated fats, recorded a much lower mortality from cardiovascular diseases than similar countries , thanks to the greater consumption of red wine.
In short, resveratrol helps protect the health of our heart. It also helps to dispose of the toxins that cause cellulite, reactivating the microcirculation, and helps to lower cholesterol.
Its best known virtues, however, are those capable of counteracting premature aging . Very important for memory, learning and mood in old age, it plays a leading role also in the aesthetic field, releasing properties capable of neutralizing free radicals and stimulating the synthesis of collagen. On top of that, it would be able to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
And if the peel of the berry, the treasure chest of resveratrol, is a mine of virtues, no less are its other components, such as the pulp , rich in sugars, mineral salts and vitamins A and C or the grape seeds , considered the most powerful antioxidants. of the vegetable kingdom. The oil obtained from their pressing has a prodigious firming, toning and anti-wrinkle effect. And let’s not forget the vine leaves, rich in tannins, anthocyanins and flavonoids, able to improve skin microcirculation. In short, a true concentrate of beauty and nourishment for our skin.
On the other hand, it is no mystery that the ancient Romans already considered the vine a fountain of youth, and that icons of beauty such as Cleopatra and Lucrezia Borgia used to take a smooth bath in wine. The ladies of the Renaissance, on the other hand, sprinkled their faces with fresh must, to relax and rejuvenate the features.
Despite the “historic” cosmetic use of the vine, however, to speak of real wine therapy we have to wait until the 90s of the last century when, in the Bordeaux region, the French wine producer Mathilde Cathiard Thomas and the doctor Joseph Vercauteren, (pictured) specialized in the study of polyphenols, have the intuition to exploit the beneficial properties of wine for the development of beauty treatments. Caudalie is born, the first cosmetic house based entirely on the anti-aging properties of grapes, and the first therapies that associate the use of the vine with that of thermal waters see the light. An announced success, which quickly leads to their diffusion in many SPAs in Europe, especially in places dedicated to wine production, such as France and Italy. Today our country, from north to south, offers wellness programs immersed in the greenery of exclusive wine resorts . A growing trend, which has developed over the years with a view to a 360 ° Wine Experience , able to offer the customer the knowledge and tasting of the wines of the cellar, together with spa treatments with wine therapy.
So let’s see which are the most requested.
WINE BATH
Now a great classic, very popular in European spas and beyond, the hydromassage bath in the tub filled with wine and must represents a priceless opportunity to relax. We do not generally speak of wine bottled and ready to drink, which would otherwise be wasted, but of waste rich in precious properties, such as must, skins, seeds and yeasts, diluted in hot water. The effects? In addition to the widespread feeling of well-being, the detoxification of the body by polyphenols and a general revitalization of the tissues. All immersed in intoxicating aromas and accompanied, ca va sans dire , by a good glass of red.
SCRUB
It can be prepared, for the body, with dried pomace, grape seed oil or red grape jelly, and mixed with other ingredients such as sugar, honey or essential oils, to obtain a deep purification of the skin. For the face, on the other hand, among the most popular treatments, the peeling with resveratrol, the aforementioned “molecule of youth”.
MASSAGE
Among the most exclusive massages, the one with fresh grapes and grapeseed oil, for a brighter and more compact skin, or the face and décolleté massage based on grape must and plant stems, with moisturizing and detoxifying properties.
If, on the other hand, the goal is to fight cellulite, go ahead with a pack of pomace and red vine, capable of draining and stimulating circulation.
There is definitely something for everyone.
But not all wines are the same in setting up the perfect treatment. Lambrusco , for example, richer in minerals, is able to revitalize the tissues, while Barolo, Moscato and Barbaresco have strong nutritional properties. Merlot and Cabernet , with purifying virtues, help eliminate dead cells and are therefore used in scrubs. Chianti , on the other hand, by reducing redness, is particularly suitable for massages, due to its calming and relaxing properties.
What if we want to try a DIY treatment?
Don’t worry: getting your skin drunk, perhaps with the wine left over from the last toast, would seem to bring only benefits to our body! An example? The homemade scrub, which we can prepare by combining 3 tablespoons of red wine, 3 of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey and 6-7 drops of essential oils, to immediately feel our skin smoother and smoother!
If, on the other hand, we prefer to rely on the effect of a good cosmetic, the offer is practically endless: anti-aging creams with resveratrol, plumping grape serums, grape seed scrubs, hand packs with must and much, much more.
A world definitely worth discovering, that of Wine therapy .
On the other hand, our grandmothers already said that drinking wine is good for us and helps us remain beautiful, at any age. Because, in addition to its undisputed beneficial properties, a good glass has the power to reveal, with every sip, our truest and most powerful beauty secret: a smile, which has always been the most infallible of anti-aging remedies.
Elena Di Bacchus
