Cholesterol is a fatlike substance formed in your liver that serves to protect cell membranes and aid in the production of certain hormones. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs, but some of the foods you eat add more cholesterol to your bloodstream. Too much cholesterol in your body increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular and moderate consumption of wine may help to improve your cholesterol levels and protect you from heart disease.
HDL and LDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, are the two types of lipoprotein packages that transport cholesterol throughout your body. HDL is the "good" form of cholesterol necessary for cleansing your blood vessels of the "bad" cholesterol, LDL. LDL is acquired from eating foods high in saturated fat, and it can accumulate in your arteries to form plaque, which narrows your arteries. To maintain heart health, you need a low level of LDL and a high count of HDL in your body. You can maintain healthy cholesterol levels or lower your LDL and raise your HDL with healthy lifestyle habits. Red wine may contribute to cholesterol management because it contains cholesterol-lowering ingredients.
Antioxidants, Resveratrol and Saponins
Antioxidants are molecules that serve to inhibit free radicals formed during oxidation from damaging your blood and organs. Numerous antioxidants exist within different food compounds like polyphenols or flavonoids, which provide color and flavor to foods. These compounds also serve specific protective functions in your body, like keeping your LDL cholesterol level low or raising your HDL. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes used for making red wines. The resveratrol in red wine may be a key ingredient in preventing blood clots because it reduces LDL cholesterol and plaque formation. A 2003 study funded by the University of California, Davis and conducted by the American Chemical Society indicates that saponins, another compound found in grape skins, also have antioxidant properties, and they prevent cholesterol absorption by binding with the bile and cholesterol in your intestinal tract. The combination of saponins with the alcohol in wine may increase the potency of cholesterol-protective effects, but ongoing research continues to determine conclusiveness.
Types of Wine
Red wines like cabernet sauvignon and petit syrah are most potent in resveratrol, while red zinfandel is lower in resveratrol but highest in saponins. The saponins are higher in red zinfandel because it has the most alcohol content of the red wine varieties. The higher alcohol content increases the solubility of the saponin compounds, according to the University of California, Davis study. White wines are lowest in both resveratrol and saponins. Choose rich red wines for the most cholesterol-lowering benefits, but do so in moderation. One to two 5-oz. glasses of wine per night is moderate and may benefit in managing your cholesterol. Consult your physician before incorporating wine into your diet to determine safety for your health.
Excess Consumption and Cholesterol Risk
Consumption of wine alone without changing other risk factors like diet and weight may not be enough to protect you from heart disease, notes a 2005 study in "Circulation." Excessive consumption of alcohol beverages like wine can increase your risk of high triglycerides, which are associated with cholesterol. Drinking too much is also linked to weakening of the heart muscle, liver damage and high blood pressure, leading to an increased risk of cholesterol problems. If you do not already enjoy moderate wine consumption, do not start drinking without discussing this option with your physician. Although research is promising for wine as an adjunct means of managing your cholesterol, evidence is not fully conclusive.
References
- American Heart Association: Alcohol, Wine and Cardiovascular Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Red Wine and Resveratrol; Good for your Heart?; March 2011
- ScienceDaily: New Cholesterol Fighter Found in Red Wine; September 2003
- "Circulation"; Red Wine and Your Heart; Paul E. Szmitko and Subodh Verma; 2005
- Yale-New Haven Hospital: A Glass of Red Wine a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: High Blood Cholesterol
