Most people know that drinking in moderation is supposed to be good for the heart, but what does “in moderation” really mean? A recent study suggests that enjoying a single glass of wine every day may be the key to a healthy heart, but there are some caveats….
Is red wine good for your heart?
Previous studies have suggested that moderate red wine drinking may protect against heart disease, but there has been conflicting research. A recent study published in the journal Circulation looked at 100 healthy adults diagnosed with coronary artery disease and found that those who enjoyed a glass or two of red wine daily were less likely to have a second heart attack or cardiovascular-related death during the study period than those who abstained.
While this is a very interesting finding, it is important to note that this was a small study and only one glass per day was allowed – leading the researchers to suspect that any kind of alcohol, when consumed in excess or in people who do not normally drink alcohol, may do more harm than good….
Why does red wine seem to be good for your heart?
Red wine is full of natural substances called polyphenols – antioxidants that have been shown to help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grape skins, has attracted particular attention as an anti-inflammatory with potential benefits for blood vessel function. Additional research suggests that resveratrol may enhance the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels, which then reduces resistance to the flow of blood through them……
What about white wine?
Unfortunately, most studies comparing red and white wine are inconclusive about any cardiovascular benefit of drinking either type of wine. Many experts suspect that this may be because people who drink white wine tend to be healthier than drinkers of red wine, crowding out the benefits of drinking any kind of alcohol.
Moderation is key!
So while some studies point to a link between moderate drinking and good cardiovascular health, it’s important to keep in mind that moderation means no more than one glass a day for women or two glasses a week for men. And remember, even if you enjoy a few alcoholic drinks from time to time, there are plenty of other ways you can protect your heart. For example, studies have shown that eating a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet with lots of vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil is good for your heart.
