What Are The Health Benefits Of Drinking Red Wine For The Cardiovascular System?

Active antioxidant compounds found in red wine help protect the heart and cardiovascular system. The most common are polyphenols, flavonoids and resveratrol, which is the best-researched. Highly concentrated in the seeds and skins of grapes, resveratrol also acts as an antibiotic in the grape plant, and this defense mechanism is retained in the fermentation process as a benefit to wine drinkers. Red wines differ in their ability to promote cardiac health. All red wines are beneficial, but red zinfandel tops the list for helping to maintain a healthy heart, while merlot and cabernet sauvignon are the least effective.

Protection Against Heart Disease

Ethanol or alcohol, resulting from fermentation of red wine, has a beneficial effect on heart health. A review by the Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, referencing numerous separate studies, concluded that men with the highest intake of flavonols showed a decreased risk of coronary heart disease--evidence the natural antioxidant's polyphenolic compounds protect the heart.

Lowers Cholesterol

The flavonoids and resveratrol in red wine help to lower cholesterol. Saponin, found in grape skins at similar levels to the resveratrol, is a glucose-based chemical that has a direct effect on lowering low-density lipoprotein, known commonly as LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.

Prevents Atherosclerosis

The alcohol and polyphenolic compounds in red wine promote vascular health by preventing hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis starts when blood vessels lose their elasticity and no longer relax. Polyphenols, like resveratrol, contribute to the formation of nitric oxide, a fundamental chemical that creates and maintains a relaxed state and contributes to optimum vascular tone in the cardiovascular system.

Aids in Blood Clotting

Protein fibrogen is the substance in blood that contributes to platelet aggregation, or clotting. Consuming red wine creates lower levels of fibrogen in the body, resulting in lower incidents of blood clots or thrombosis. The Slovak Academy of Sciences has shown that the polyphenols in red wine interfere with glycoprotein and reduce the level of thromboxane, the substance in blood responsible for the contracting of artery and vein muscle walls, creating a restricting effect. The studies concluded that regularly consumption of flavonoids, such as those in red wine, is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Another study demonstrated the benefit of a moderate intake of alcohol, or ethanol, from red wine. According to the Lipid Research Laboratory, abstainers and chronic heavy drinkers had a higher incidence of cardiovascular-related mortalities than light or moderate drinkers. The research concluded that ethanol and quercetin were the two major properties in red wine that acted as clotting inhibitors.

Considerations

All scientific findings suggest that, although there are benefits to red wine consumption, moderation is best--two glasses of wine a day for a man, and one glass for a women. Detrimental health issues can result from heavier consumption.