Red wine has long been regarded to be heart-healthy when consumed in moderation. The alcohol in red wine, as well as some antioxidants, may aid in reducing coronary artery disease, which leads to heart attacks.
It's unclear if there's a correlation between drinking red wine and having fewer heart attacks. However, antioxidants in red wine may improve levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol accumulation, which might explain part of the benefit.
Doctors advise against starting to consume alcohol for heart health reasons, particularly if you have a family history of alcoholism. Too much alcohol may affect your health in a variety of ways.
If you already love a glass of red wine with your evening meal, moderate consumption looks to be beneficial to your heart.
What are the benefits of red wine for the heart?
Polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in red wine, may help preserve the lining of blood arteries in your heart. Red wine contains a polyphenol called resveratrol, which has received attention for its health advantages.
When drunk in moderation, alcohol may have some protective properties.
Red wine contains resveratrol
Resveratrol has been shown to help prevent blood vessel damage, lower LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), and avoid blood clots.
Resveratrol research, on the other hand, has shown mixed results. According to several studies, resveratrol may be associated with a reduced risk of inflammation and blood clotting, lowering the risk of heart disease. Other research, on the other hand, revealed no effect from resveratrol in terms of avoiding heart disease.
To see whether resveratrol reduces the risk of inflammation and blood clotting, further study is required.
Grapes, supplements, and other foods contain resveratrol
The skin of the grapes used to manufacture wine contains resveratrol, which is found in red wine. Red wine has more resveratrol than white wine since it is fermented with grape skins for a longer period of time.
It's possible to receive resveratrol without drinking alcohol by eating grapes or drinking grape juice. Red and purple grape juices may share some of red wine's heart-healthy properties.
Resveratrol may also be found in peanuts, blueberries, and cranberries. When it comes to heart health, it's unclear if eating grapes or other meals are more healthy than drinking red wine. The quantity of resveratrol in red wine and diet varies greatly.
Supplements containing resveratrol are also available. Taking resveratrol supplements hasn't been linked to any negative effects, but your body can't absorb the majority of the resveratrol in supplements.
What role does alcohol have in heart health?
There's still no conclusive proof that beer, white wine, or liquor aren't healthier for your heart than red wine.
Various studies have indicated that modest doses of all forms of alcohol, not simply the alcohol contained in red wine, are beneficial to your heart. It is believed that alcohol:
- Increases HDL cholesterol levels (the "good" cholesterol)
- Blood clots are less likely to develop.
- Aids in the prevention of arterial damage caused by high LDL cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol)
- It's possible that it'll help the layer of cells that lining your blood arteries operate better.
Consume alcohol in moderation — or not at all
Red wine and other alcoholic beverages seem to provide potential heart-health advantages. Moderate drinkers, particularly red wine drinkers, seem to have a decreased risk of heart disease.
However, research comparing moderate drinkers to non-drinkers may exaggerate the advantages of moderate drinking since nondrinkers may already be suffering from health issues.
We need more study to discover if red wine is healthier for your heart than other types of alcohol like beer or spirits.
The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute do not advise that you begin consuming alcohol just to avoid heart disease. Alcohol is addicting, and it may cause or exacerbate other health issues.
Drinking too much alcohol raises your chances of developing:
- Diseases of the liver and pancreas
- Insufficiency of the heart
- Blood pressure that is too high
- Cancers of many sorts
- Stroke
- Accidents, violence, and suicide are all possibilities.
- Obesity and weight increase
Don't drink any alcohol at all if:
- You're trying to lose weight
- Are you expecting a child?
- Have you or someone in your family struggled with alcoholism?
- Have you been diagnosed with a liver or pancreatic illness as a result of your alcohol consumption?
- Have you been diagnosed with heart failure or a weak heart?
- Certain drugs should be taken
Talk to your doctor about particular suggestions for you if you have concerns about the advantages and hazards of alcohol.
If you currently consume red wine, keep it to a minimum. For people in good health, this means:
- Women of all ages are allowed up to one drink per day.
- For males over the age of 65, one drink per day is allowed.
- Men aged 65 and younger may have up to two drinks each day. Because males weigh more than women and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol, the limit for men is greater.
The following is a definition of a drink:
- Beer, 12 ounces (355 milliliters)
- 5 ounces of wine (148 milliliters)
- 80-proof distilled spirits, 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters)
