Wine is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s relaxing, delicious, and compliments many different foods. And, according to some sources, it may actually be good for our heath. So before you say no to that glass of wine with dinner, consider these six reasons why drinking wine—in moderation, of course—might be better for you than you thought.

Heart Healthy

According to an article on Refinery29.com, the reason red wines like cabernet, malbec and chianti are at the top of the favorite wines list is because of the fruit that’s behind them—the grape. Samantha Lynch, R.D., founder of Samantha Lynch Nutrition in New York City, says, “Wine is so healthy because it contains grapes, natural phenolics, polyphenols, and antioxidants. They’re a really big boost for your heart health.”

Grapes contain resveratrol, which protects your heart and arteries against the effects of saturated fat in your diet. When consumed in moderation, the alcohol in red wine helps raise your levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, while lowering the “bad” LDL cholesterol that can cause blood clots.  “The most well-known cardio-protective benefit is its ability to increase HDL (aka good) cholesterol,” says Lynch. “Research shows that one to two glasses a day are linked to, on average, a 12 percent increase in HDL. And, when HDL is high, your heart is on its A-game.” The flavonoids and sapponins in red wine can also help protect your hear against cardiovascular disease.

More Antioxidants, Please

In addition to containing resveratrol, wine (particularly red) is chock full of antioxidants, which have a slew of health benefits. According to FitDay.com, Drinking one or two glasses of red wine each day can help protect you from many of the diseases of the elderly, such as osteoporosis.” Wine can also help improve memory, slow the signs of aging and prevent a number of other degenerative illnesses like type 2 diabetes.

Meanwhile, according to MedicalNewsToday.com, a study conducted at the University of London found that wine consumption has contributed towards the longer life spans enjoyed by the people in Sardinia and the southwest of France. The researchers also found that red wine made in the traditional way has much higher levels of procyanidins than other wines.

The Fight Against Cancer

While the regular consumption of alcohol has been found to increase the risk of cancer—particularly breast cancer in women—the opposite has been found when it comes to drinking wine. In fact, in the Journal of Women’s Health, scientists explained that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes reduce estrogen levels while raising testosterone in premenopausal women—which results in a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Guercetin, one of the many antioxidants in red wine, is also thought to prevent the development of lung cancer.

Not a fan of red wine? No need to sulk. White wine has also been said to contain flavinoids and antioxidants that can help prevent cancer. In fact, according to a study from the University of Barcelona, white wines may have more antioxidant properties than red wines.

Meanwhile, three glasses a week of champagne could help prevent brain disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to an article on HealthCentral.com.  A study found that certain black grape varieties used in champagne can aid memory via a compound called phenolic acid.

A Pearly White Smile

If heart-healthy, cancer-fighting antioxidants aren’t enough of a reason to drink wine, winos may be excited to learn that drinking wine after eating can help fight Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria which lives on your teeth and is known to cause cavities, plaque and tooth decay.

According to FitDay.com, “Red wine, even non alcoholic red wine, hardens your enamel to prevent tooth decay. The polyphenols in red wine can also prevent gum disease, and even help to treat it by reducing inflammation in the gums.”

See Clearly

A recent article on MedicalNewsToday.com explains, “Red wine can stop the out-of-control blood vessel growth in the eye that causes blindness. “Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness among Americans aged 50+ years, are caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels (angiogenesis) in the eye. Researchers explained that resveratrol is the compound in wine that protects vision. Grapes, blueberries, peanuts and some other plants are rich in resveratrol.”

Everything in Moderation

From antioxidants that help fight cancer and dementia, to protection against blood clots and heart attacks, it seems that drinking wine has a long list of health benefits. But before you reach for that next glass, remember that moderation is key. Plus, most of these medical findings are linked to specific quantities. For instance, most expert recommend no more than one 5-ounce drink a day for females and two for males.

If you overdo it, wine can have a negative affect on your health, actually increasing the risk of heart and liver disease, certain cancers and alcoholism. And, of course, if you are taking certain medications or are pregnant, it may be a good idea to skip the vino altogether. To make sure you’re making the best decisions for your body, talk to your doctor. Cheers, to your health!