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Red wine: can (and should) it be part of your heart health program?
There has been quite a bit of media coverage about the possible health benefits of red wine. Some of the known heart-healthy benefits of red wine include:I'd like to suggest another benefit of wine - it tastes and feels good! Researchers at the University of Bordeaux found that moderate wine consumption (2-3 glasses a day) was associated with a 30% reduction in the death rate from all causes; a 35% percent reduction in death rates from heart disease; and an 18-24% reduction in death rates from cancer. An Israeli study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that drinking red wine with meals resulted in a 20% reduction in the LDL (“bad”) cholesterol oxidation. A Dutch study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that alcohol consumed with a meal may prevent blood clotting triggered by fat. Red wine has an aspirin-like effect, thinning the blood. Wine is more commonly consumed at mealtimes than either beer or hard liquor, and these differences in timing may be important, according to researchers. Pro-red wine studies suggest antioxidants in red wine help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. These antioxidants come in two main forms: Flavonoids. These antioxidants are found in a variety of foods, including oranges, apples, onions, tea, and cocoa and in small amounts in other types of alcohol such as white wine and beer, but red wine has higher levels. Nonflavonoids. These antioxidants found in red wine have recently been of particular interest to researchers because they appear to help prevent arteries from becoming clogged; however, these studies involved mice — not humans. The Mediterranean diet typically includes red wine, but consumed only in moderation. While the news might sound great if you happen to enjoy a glass of wine with your evening meal (as I do), the health effects of alcohol have been debated for many years. Doctors are wary of encouraging anyone to drink because too much alcohol can have harmful effects on your body. Suggested amounts vary. The American Heart Association recommends no more than one 5-ounce glass of wine daily for women (or men over age 65), and no more than two 5-ounce glasses of wine daily for men under age 65. Other organizations suggest a range of 9 - 14 drinks per week for women and 14 - 21 for men. If you are unable to limit your alcohol intake to moderate amounts, you have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, or you have liver disease, refrain from drinking wine or any other alcohol. Excessive drinking can actually raise the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. Keep in mind that red wine may also trigger migraines in some people. But despite the caution, doctors do agree that something in red wine appears to help your heart. In moderation it won't hurt and it just may help!
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