When researchers examined the heart health of those in the Mediterranean region, they found the diet was associated with an overall reduced risk of heart disease and death due to a cardiovascular event, according to MayoClinic.com. One component of the Mediterranean diet is drinking red wine. When consumed in the correct amounts, red wine can reduce your cholesterol levels.
Preventive Effects
Red wine may prevent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol -- the type of cholesterol that can form plaque in the blood vessels, which can contribute to heart disease -- from forming in the first place, according to Health Castle. Because this plaque can lead to heart attack or stroke, red wine can have protective effects for the heart.
Reductive Effects
A 2005 study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" conducted by A.S. Hansen and colleagues found that when wine was consumed in moderate amounts for four weeks, the amount of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased. Also known as HDL cholesterol, this cholesterol type actually helps to reduce the amount of harmful cholesterol in the body -- also known as low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol. When compared with drinking grape juice, drinking red wine has been shown to lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Recommended Serving
In order to experience potentially heart-healthy benefits, women should consume one 4 oz. glass of wine each day, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital. Men should consume between one and two glasses of wine per day. Drinking excessive amounts can actually have harmful effects on the body -- drinking three or more glasses per day can increase the amount of fats in the bloodstream, which can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Types
Red wine is named based on the type of grapes the wine is made from. The different grapes contain different levels of flavonoids, the substances responsible for helping to flight inflammation in the body, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital. The dry wines typically are the highest in flavonoids. The highest levels of flavonoids were found in cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah and pinot noir. Following these were merlot and red zinfandel. While white wine is not as high in flavonoids as red wine, white wines do contain flavonoids.
Considerations
While drinking red wine does protect your heart, other healthy lifestyle measures also can reduce your risk of heart disease. For this reason, if you do not currently drink, the American Heart Association does not encourage you to begin drinking. Your physician can recommend additional heart-healthy measures in order to reduce your heart disease risk.
References
- Health Castle: Heart Health Benefits
- Yale-New Haven Hospital: A Glass of Red Wine a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition;" Effect of Red Wine and Red Grape Extract; A.S. Hansen; March 2005
- American Heart Association: Alcohol, Wine and Cardiovascular Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health
