Bikini model claims daily glass of red wine helps maintain trim figure

Bikini model, 35, claims her six-pack abs are down to a daily glass of red wine – and says she’d be ‘far more stressed’ and inclined to snack on junk food without it

• EXCLUSIVE: Danni Levy, 35, from Essex, is the editor of a fitness magazine
• Claims she has a glass of red wine every day but doesn’t binge at weekends
• Says depriving yourself of things you enjoy only makes you want them more
• Danni weighs same as she did in 20s and says wine is secret of her lean physique

A bikini model claims indulging in a glass of red wine every night is the secret to her lean physique.

Danni Levy, 35, of Essex, who is editor of Muscle & Fitness UK magazine, says she drinks ‘every single day’ and has done so for ‘as long as I can remember’.

The stunner claims her vino habit stops her reaching for the snacks during the evening and believes she’d be ‘more stressed’ without it.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Danni says: ‘Some may argue I am alcohol dependant, or that my habit is unhealthy, and they are entitled to their opinions. 

Danni Levy, 35, of Essex, who is editor of Muscle & Fitness UK magazine, says she drinks ‘every single day’ and has done for ‘as long as I can remember’

The stunner claims her vino habit stops her reaching for the snacks during the evening and believes she’d be ‘more stressed’ without it

‘However, at the age of 35 I weigh exactly the same as I did at the age of 20, I have no body issues and I wake up with a six-pack on a daily basis.

‘I am not suggesting red wine is entirely to thank for my all-year-round athletic physique, but it certainly helps.’ 

Danni, who has competed internationally as a fitness model, said allowing herself a 175ml glass of red wine each night means she’s not inclined to binge drink at the weekends.

‘Binge drinking not only wreaks havoc on the liver, but alcohol contains seven calories per gram and your body prioritises burning off these calories before it even begins to work on the food you’ve consumed,’ she explained.

Danni, who has competed internationally as a fitness model, said allowing herself a 175ml glass of red wine each night means she’s not inclined to binge drink at the weekends

While Danni acknowledges that she’s been ‘blessed with genetics’ when it comes to her lean physique, she doesn’t believe her daily glass of vino has a negative impact on her health

‘Not to mention those hangover goodies you reach for the day after a heavy night out! 

‘Depriving yourself of the things you enjoy in life only makes you crave them more.’

She added that she is not inclined to gorge on junk food after dinner, but believes if it wasn’t for the vino, she’d have to find ‘something else to keep my hands and mouth busy’.

Health benefits of red wine, according to Danni 

* It contains antioxidants that fight free radicals to help prevent cancer.

* It can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

* It can help to boost your immune system.

* It contains high levels of silicon that help to improve bone density.

* It can help to lower cholesterol.

* It can help to improve sensibility to insulin and therefore reduces the risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

* It improves cognitive function.

* Resveratrol in red wine helps to promote a longer life and has anti-ageing properties. 

‘If I were to cut out wine I’d probably reach for the Netflix snacks and I’d certainly be far more stressed with my job, which is very full-on at times,’ Danni says.

While Danni acknowledges that she’s been ‘blessed with genetics’ when it comes to her trim figure, she doesn’t believe her daily glass of vino has a negative impact on her health. 

‘I attend regular blood tests and I am fit as a fiddle,’ she insists. ‘I have bags of energy in the gym and, unlike most fitness models, I do not go through bulking and cutting phases.

‘Rather, I enjoy a lean physique 365 days of the year. When I am asked my secret, I always tell people it’s down to the wine!’

Danni stresses that she doesn’t want to send out the message that alcohol is ‘good for you’, as she believes that as a nation, ‘we need to cut down’.

‘I appreciate the health warnings surrounding alcohol consumption, but are these strict guidelines inadvertently encouraging us to turn to excess food instead?’ she asks.

‘If we were encouraged to enjoy a glass of red wine, would this help to adjust our palettes, guiding us towards a Mediterranean diet and reducing the amount we binge drink? 

Danni stresses that she doesn’t want to send out the message that alcohol is ‘good for you’, as she believes that as a nation, ‘we need to cut down’

‘I wholeheartedly advocate enjoying a glass of red in the evenings which offers a ton of health benefits and reduces the desire to snack on rubbish.

‘I do not binge drink, even on the weekends, and I do not advocate drinking spirits or exceeding one glass in a single sitting aside from at special occasions.

‘Agree or disagree, I will shamelessly continue to enjoy my nightly tipple whilst taking care of my body in every way possible.’

So, what do the experts day?

Dr Louis Akindele specialises in sports medicine and represents the Great Britain Medical Football Team

We asked Dr Louis Akindele, who specialises in sports medicine and represents the Great Britain Medical Football Team. He says:

‘The health messages in regards to alcohol can be confusing. We all know in high doses it is harmful. 

‘But there is some epidemiological evidence that, in light doses, it can actually reduce the risk of heart attacks. 

The UK health guidelines of 14 or less units a week being safe for women give the idea there is a ‘safe’ dose of alcohol. This may give the impression that it is only above this level that alcohol becomes harmful. 

Though these limits are right to aim to encourage moderation in drinking, there is little sound evidence to suggest an intake of one to 13 units of alcohol per week is actually safe or good for our health.

‘When weighing up alcohol intake in regards to health and fitness, the bottom line is that alcohol is a toxin to our bodies. 

‘Essentially when we ingest alcohol we are taking in a poison. A medium sized glass of red wine is 2.3 units and approximately 180 calories of poison to our bodies.

‘That one glass of red wine each evening swiftly takes you over the ‘safe’ limit of 14 units a week. There is also the significant matter of an additional 1,260 calories you need to burn off each week just to maintain your current weight. That is approximately two hours of running. 

‘If losing weight is one of your goals, cutting out that glass of red wine could be the lifestyle change that does the trick.

‘Alcohol is a diuretic so can increase our risk of dehydration. It is also addictive, so there is a risk we do not stop at one glass of red wine. 

‘Alcohol is known to increase the risk of several types of cancer; even in moderate doses, it can cause the development of fatty liver. This can inhibit the liver’s function and prevent it from clearing the toxins it is supposed to.

‘Depending on your alcohol tolerance it can also cause hangovers, even in moderate doses. This can make you more likely to skip your morning exercise class.

‘My advice is that if you want to improve your health and fitness, you should probably try to cut out your poison.’

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