The relatively low rate of heart disease in France, where red wine drinking is common, led to the a suggestion in the 1990s that something in red wine might be heart healthy. In fact, red wine contains a natural compound called resveratrol that may explain the possible benefit of wine for the heart. Although wine may have benefits, drink it in moderation and discuss with your doctor whether adding red wine, other resveratrol-rich foods or resveratrol supplements is advisable for you.
Resveratrol and Heart Disease
Resveratrol is a compound that reaches the blood about 30 minutes after being consumed. It is an antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory properties. The Linus Pauling Institute says that the anti-inflammatory activity may partly explain its heart benefits, since inflammation is involved in development of coronary artery disease. Resveratrol also may stimulate production of nitric oxide, which helps relax arteries and lower blood pressure, and it may also suppress formation of blood clots. The Institute indicates these are promising observations that need further study.
Other Resveratrol Effects
Resveratrol may also help prevent certain types of cancers, including breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic and thyroid cancer. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that resveratrol may inhibit division of cancer cells and may also cause some of these cells to die. It may also prevent or delay the effect of carcinogens on healthy cells and slow invasion of cancer cells into healthy tissues. As of early 2011, several clinical trials of resveratrol as a potential cancer preventive are underway.
Resveratrol Sources
Grapes are very rich in resveratrol. Because the compound is located mostly in the skin, red wine has a high concentration since it includes grape skins. One 5 oz. glass of red wine contains about 1 mg resveratrol, as does grape juice made from red grapes. White and rose wines contain less resveratrol, about 0.2 to 0.5 mg per glass. Peanuts and peanut butter also contain small amounts, about 0.2 mg per cup. Resveratrol supplements are available from health food stores. These contain 10 to 50 mg resveratrol per capsule.
Recommendations
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the effective and safe daily intake of resveratrol is currently unknown, although it is considered generally safe and free of toxicity. However, red wine should be consumed in moderation because of the health risks of alcohol. Medline Plus indicates that women should consume a maximum of one glass of wine daily; the recommended maximum intake for men is two glasses each day. Avoid resveratrol supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you take prescription medications. Consult your doctor to determine if taking these supplements is appropriate for you.
References
- MedLine Plus: Wine and Heart Health
- Linus Pauling Institute: Resveratrol
- MayoClinic.com: Red Wine and Resveratrol: Good for Your Heart?
- Dovepress: "Red Wine and Cardiovascular Health the "French Paradox" Revisited," Lippi, G. et al "International Journal of Wine Research," January, 2010.
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Resveratrol
- PubMed: "Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol: the In Vivo Evidence," Baur, J. and Sinclair, D., "Nature Reviews Drug Discovery,", June, 2006.
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