Choose A Recent Vintage
While it probably wont taste nearly as good, a medium-quality grocery store wine may be better for your heart than the aged bottles found in most wine cellars. Why? The newer the wine, the higher its antioxidant content. Save the good stuff for special occasions and pick a recently bottled wine to reap more cardiovascular benefits.
How Much Red Wine Should You Drink To Achieve Any Health Benefits
Thats a good question, and unfortunately, theres not a clear answer. Complicating things is the notion of what a drink is. Different people might have different ideas about the number of ounces or amount of alcohol in a drink, and it varies across different geographic locations. Even in clinical research, there is a lot of variation in how light or moderate consumption of wine is defined.
That said, the standard drink size in the U.S. for red wine is 5 ounces. From what is currently known about the health benefits of red wine consumption, most experts agree that light to moderate consumption is the goal. According to the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this means 2 drinks per day or less for men and 1 drink or less per day for women .
Remember that these are simply recommendations for those who want to drink wine. The health benefits have not been definitively established, so if drinking is not something you already do, there is likely no health benefit to starting.
Wine And Blood Pressure Medications
Consuming wine, or any alcoholic beverage, while you are taking any medication is not recommended. Red wine impairs your digestive tracts ability to properly absorb your medication. Drinking wine with medications will increase their effects and elevate their concentrations in your body, which increases the risk of adverse reactions and toxicity. Moreover, drinking wine with blood pressure medications elevates the risk of dose dumping, Drugs.com says. Dose dumping is when your body metabolizes medications prematurely, greatly increasing the risk of adverse reactions and even toxicity.
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Several Studies Have Linked Moderate Red Wine Consumption To Lower Risk Of Several Diseases Including Heart Disease However Overconsumption Of Red Wine Can Be Hazardous So What Is The Healthy Amount Read On To Find Out
Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : January 1, 2021 10:32 AM IST
Planning to ring in the new year with a glass of red wine? Please, Go ahead! It could be actually good for your heart and mind. Red wine is known to offer a slew of health benefits, when consumed in moderation. Here we have listed some of the potential benefits of red wine.
Red wine is made by crushing and fermenting black grape varieties. Grapes are rich in several antioxidants including catechins, resveratrol, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins. These ingredients make red wine so beneficial to health. Resveratrol has anti-aging and heart-healthy benefits. Flavonoids that render the wine a rich red color are powerful antioxidant agents. They protect your body against everyday toxins and stressors, helping your body function more efficiently. Proanthocyanidins also help combat free radical damage and reduce heart disease risk.
Reduces Risk Of Cancer
Moderate wine consumption can also help lower your risk of several cancers, including colon, basal cell, ovary and prostate cancers. A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center revealed that resveratrol in red wine can destroy pancreatic cancer cells. Another study says that individuals who take at least a glass of red wine a week are less likely to suffer from bowel cancer than non-drinkers. According to a Chinese study, polyphenols in red wine can inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells.
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Red Wine May Help Prevent Blood Clots
Some research has found that drinking red wine may decrease platelet aggregation, which can also help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Platelets are tiny cells in our blood that bind together around damaged blood vessels when we become injured. This clotting is what stops us from bleeding and helps us heal when we get a minor cut.
However, when platelets aggregate too much, they can form blood clots. Blood clots are serious because they can block the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
By reducing the stickiness of the platelets in your blood, red wine can help prevent blood clots and reduce your risk for health complications. For example, a 2002 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine measured platelet aggregation levels in male volunteers after moderate wine consumption and found they were significantly inhibited.
Stick With Dry Red Wines Over Sweet Reds
As a rule of thumb when considering what kind of red wine is good for you, dry blends over sweet varieties are the safer, heart-healthy pick.
Thats because red wines with dryer notes and flavor profiles carry much higher levels of flavonoids, polyphenols and other compounds necessary for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory health properties. Its also these flavonoids and antioxidants that promote the bodys absorption of good HDL cholesterol while kicking bad LDL cholesterol to the curb.
Red wine varieties with that desired dry profile run the gamut of cabernet sauvignons, cabernet francs, malbecs and merlots. On the other hand, notoriously sweet red wines like zinfandels, maderias and any commercial red blend will almost always contain lower flavonoid concentrations though theyre still delicious, with a definite time and place at the dinner table!
On the most end of the sweet scale sits ports and anything labeled a dessert wine. Ports, with their liquor additions and fortifications, alter the entire chemical composition of the wine, as well as many of its metabolic processes. And dessert wines are, well, for dessert. Theyre fundamentally sugar-forward, with a fermentation process meant to minimize acidity and bring about the highest notes of fruit and sweeteners.
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More Wine Is Good For The Heart
Results reveal people with the highest intake of flavonoid-rich foods also had both lower systolic blood pressure levels and greater gut microbiome diversity than those who consumed very little flavonoid-rich foods. Additionally, study authors conclude that up to 15.2 percent of the link between flavonoid-rich foods and blood pressure could indeed by explained by gut microbiome diversity.
Moreover, the study estimates that eating 1.6 servings of berries daily results in an average drop in blood pressure of 4.1 mm/Hg. Researchers say roughly 12 percent of that association has to do with the gut microbiome. Also, drinking 2.8 glasses of red wine weekly can lower blood pressure by an average of 3.7 mm/Hg. The gut microbiome accounts for about 15 percent of this benefit.
Our findings indicate future trials should look at participants according to metabolic profile in order to more accurately study the roles of metabolism and the gut microbiome in regulating the effects of flavonoids on blood pressure, Cassidy explains. A better understanding of the highly individual variability of flavonoid metabolism could very well explain why some people have greater cardiovascular protection benefits from flavonoid-rich foods than others.
The study is published in Hypertension.
Which Red Wine Has The Least Sugar
Also, wines often contain added sugar. Therefore, buy wine from a genuine vinery and region. Low residual sugar is a significant sign of quality.
Hence, here are the best dry red wine grapes with the least sugar:
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
- Cabernet Franc, Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
To put quality over quantity, I highly recommend using a wine app
It can show you the grape composition of a Cuvee, even if its not on the label.
Since you just need to scan the label to get all the data about origin, grapes, taste, and food pairing, it simplifies your life.
Due to the price comparison and wine rankings, it helps you to get the best bang for your buck in a matter of seconds.
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How Is It Good For The Heart
Mayo Clinic stated that red wine is good for your heart, so long as you drink it in moderation. The wine has alcohol and certain ingredients that help prevent coronary artery disease, which leads to heart disease. The antioxidants in the wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein, which is good cholesterol for the body that protects your body from cholesterol buildup.
However, these findings are due to the alcohol content in the wine. So, it may not be any better than other kinds of liquor like beer or white wine. It does have different amounts of a polyphenol called resveratrol than the other liquors, which may have an effect on the lining in your blood vessels in your heart.
Resveratrol is a key ingredient in red wine since it comes from the skin of grapes. The skins are used when making the wine, in comparison to white which is not used. It prevents damage to blood vessels from bad cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol in the body. Due to this fact, you can also get similar benefits from eating grapes rather than drinking wine.
If you already drink red wine, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means:
- Up to one drink a day for women of all ages.
- Up to one drink a day for men older than age 65.
- Up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. The limit for men is higher because men generally weigh more and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol than women do.
A drink is defined as:
What Have Scientific Studies Discovered About The Link Between Heart Health And Red Wine
Over the past several decades, data collected has shown a link between red wine consumption and a reduction in heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Observational studies found a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people who drink low to moderate amounts when compared with people who dont drink at all. However, high consumption of red wine is not linked to health benefits and can actually be harmful .
But its important to point out that these existing studies arent perfect, and they certainly cant determine cause and effect. They are susceptible to bias, and it has been difficult to control for other factors that might also have an effect on heart health. For example, do people who drink red wine in small amounts also have healthier diets or lifestyles, which could explain their lower risk of heart disease? A recent, large study that aimed to avoid these issues challenges the previous research that suggests red wine can protect you from heart disease.
Certainly, more research is needed to tease this out. But its going to be difficult. Randomized, blinded, and controlled trials are considered researchs gold standard theyre the best kind of clinical trial when trying to determine cause and effect. However, none of these exist in the study of red wine and heart health. The problem is that this kind of trial would pose ethical issues .
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This Is The Absolute Healthiest Red Wine You Can Drink
If you’re pouring, you might as well pour healthy.
Whether or not its healthy to drink wine depends heavily on how much youre drinking and, as it turns out, on the type of wine you choose. Most people know that red wine is the healthier option compared to white or sparkling. Its especially healthier than a carb-heavy pint of beer.
But not all reds were created equal, as any sommelier will explain. Different cultivars of grapes contain different nutrients and various wines are also prepared in diverse ways, meaning some have more sugar than others. And while most of the time were relieved alcohol doesnt come with a nutrition label , this left us curious.
So we consulted a few sommeliers to find out which red wines are really the healthiest. The healthfulness of red wine is largely due to its antioxidants. Resveratrol has been linked to lower risks of cancer, stroke, and heart disease, among other benefits.
Pinot noir has the highest concentration of the highly touted antioxidant resveratrol, Benjamin Appleby, top sommelier at Abe & Louies in Boston, told The Daily Meal. It is pretty easy to make the case for pinot noir being the healthiest choice among red wines.
But resveratrol wasnt the only perk of picking pinot noir over another breed of red.
Can Other Drinks Such As Beer And Spirits Also Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Many studies have looked at whether the same cardioprotective effect could be seen with other alcoholic drinks, such as beer and spirits. In many cases, the same effect has been found. This systematic review found no clear winner among the different types, suggesting that it might not matter what you drink as long as you do it in moderation. Its important to be mindful of both the size of the beverage and the alcohol content when youre drinking.
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Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
As mentioned, resveratrol is a compound that you can find in red wines. This antioxidant helps regulate blood sugar levels. According to one study, subjects that took resveratrol supplements every day showed lower glucose levels than subjects who did not. In addition, its also helpful in controlling systolic blood pressure.
White Wine As Good For Heart As Red
Lighter Wines Contain Heart-Helping Antioxidants Too, New Study Shows
Aug. 11, 2006 — White wine fans, raise your glasses! A new study suggests the lighter wines may be just as good for the heart as red.
Until now, research has suggested the bulk of grapes’ heart-healthy benefits come from antioxidant compounds primarily found in their skins. These compounds are called anthocyanins and contribute to the red color of the fruit.
In the making of red wines, the grape skins are crushed along with the pulp. But the skins are quickly separated out during the making of most white wines.
That led to the conventional belief that red wines, which contain more of these compounds, are responsible for the drink’s beneficial effects in fighting heart disease.
But researchers say new evidence suggests the pulp of grapes appears to be just as heart-healthy as the skin, thanks to other types of antioxidants present in the flesh.
This challenges the notion that red wines, like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir, are better for the heart than white wines, such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and Riesling.
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Benefit Of Wine Does Not Come From Alcohol But This Ingredient
According to researchers at Anglia Ruskin University, it’s not alcohol, but the benefit of wine comes from antioxidants in grapes. For the study, the team researched about 45,000 people aged 40 to 69 to look at the impact of moderate alcohol consumption on their health. In comparison to non-drinkers and binge drinkers, persons who drank up to 11 glasses of wine per week had a 40% lower risk of coronary heart disease, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
The same lowered risk was discovered in individuals who drank non-alcoholic versions on a daily basis, indicating the benefits of grapes, according to the findings.
Ask A Cardiologist: Alcohol And Heart Health
Q: Ive heard that drinking a glass of wine a day is good for the heart. Is this true?
A: Drinking a small amount of alcohol is likely not harmful for your heart. But the idea that drinking alcohol might be good for your overall health isnt fully backed by science.
Over the years some studies have associated drinking small amounts of alcohol with lowered risk of heart disease. In those studies, people who drank moderate amounts of alcohol had about a 20% lower risk of dying from heart disease including heart attack, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and coronary artery disease when compared to those who didnt drink. This trend seems to hold for people who are living with heart disease and those who arent. And the benefits were seen whether drinking wine, beer or spirits. These findings can be reassuring for most folks but they are certainly not a recommendation to start drinking for health benefits.
Why you shouldnt start drinking for health
Benefits dont outweigh risks
- two drinks a day most days, to a weekly maximum of 10 for women.*
- three drinks a day most days, to a weekly maximum of 15 for men.A drink means
- 341 mL / 12 oz of regular strength beer .
- 142 mL / 5 oz wine .
- 43 mL / 1 1/2 oz spirits .
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Are You Drinking The Best Red Wine For Heart Health
by drspar | All, Fitness & Nutrition |
Have you heard about the benefits of drinking red wine but dismissed the claims as too good to be true? Believe the hype! While you obviously wont do yourself any favors if you down a bottle every night, moderate consumption of red wine has consistently been shown to positively impact healthparticularly when it comes to the heart.
What makes red wine so heart-healthy? Research points to its abundant antioxidant content. Red wine is rich in polyphenols, which are powerful fighters of free radicals. One of these polyphenols, resveratrol, may help protect blood vessels from damage and prevent clotting. Resveratrol can also lower LDL cholesterol levels. A review examining the results of various studies involving red wine and the heart concluded that red wine as a diet supplement might be beneficial for cardiovascular risk factors. In other words, drinking red wine could help lower your chances of developing heart problems.
Lets say youre already a card-carrying member of the vino club. Are you drinking the best red wine for heart health? Here are some things to consider when choosing a wine.
