"The genetic interactions suggest that ethanol plays an important role in glucose metabolism, while red wine's effects additionally involve non-alcoholic constituents," researchers wrote. "Yet, any clinical implication of [these] findings should be taken with caution with careful medical follow-up."

Red wine may help those who do not suffer from diabetes when it comes to improving cholesterol levels. According to Prevention, a study conducted in Spain found that the High-fiber Tempranillo grapes used in some red wines could impact cholesterol levels.

In the study, healthy subjects who took a grape supplement had a 9 percent decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. And those who had high cholesterol demonstrated a 12 percent drop in cholesterol levels.

Some experts cite concerns about jumping to conclusions. According to the Mayo Clinic, much of the research done on resveratrol has focused on animals. In other words, no one knows whether the benefits found in animal-based experiments apply to people. And, as the Mayo Clinic says, “to get the same dose of resveratrol used in the mice studies, a person would have to drink more than 1,000 liters of red wine every day.”

If you plan to start – or continue -- drinking wine to promote better health, it’s important to remember a few general rules of thumb. First, watch your intake. Limit drinks to one a day if you’re a woman who's older than 65 and two if you’re younger than 65.

Remember that alcohol comes with risks of its own. In excess, it could increase your risk of high blood pressure, high triglycerides, liver damage, obesity, cancer, and of course, accidents. Plus, it can weaken your heart muscle. And if you’re on an aspirin regime, talk to your doctor before adding wine to your routine.

If you don’t want to drink red wine, remember that there are other ways to obtain resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes. So grapes and grape juice are rich sources of resveratrol.