Any hardworking gal knows that kicking back with a girlfriend and a glass of red wine is a fabulous way to de-stress. The best part? Your red-wine habit also happens to come with some happy health benefits, such as protecting your ticker and even slimming your waistline. Check out these eight reasons why winding down with a glass of vino is a good call all around.

Click HERE to read about how to:

1. Lower your cholesterol

2. Protect your heart

3. Control blood sugar

4. Boost your brain

5. Fight off a cold

6. Stop cancer

7. Get slim

8. Jazz up dinner