Red wine contains a group of natural compounds called polyphenols that may have significant health benefits. One of these polyphenols, called resveratrol, may lower your risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack and other disorders. Although you may obtain resveratrol by drinking red wine, extracts containing resveratrol may be a better choice because alcohol in wine carries its own health risks. Discuss taking resveratrol extract with your doctor to determine if it is a good option for you.
Resveratrol
Red wine contains polyphenolic compounds called stilbenes; resveratrol is one of these natural chemicals. Resveratrol is absorbed quickly by your digestive system, with the compound and its metabolites appearing in your blood about 60 minutes after you consume it. Resveratrol is an antioxidant molecule that removes free radicals from your body. These metabolic byproducts may injure cells by damaging their DNA and cell membranes. The compound also has other effects on the body's systems that may help prevent heart disease, cancer and other disorders.
Heart Benefits
Resveratrol has several effects on the cardiovascular system that may help lower your risk for heart disease. It stimulates production of nitric oxide, a molecule that causes vasodilation, potentially relaxing your arteries and lowering your blood pressure. It also inhibits aggregation of platelets, which are involved in blood clot formation. Resveratrol also suppresses growth of muscle cells in blood vessels. Division of these cells is involved in development of atherosclerosis, which may lead to heart attack and stroke. These and other ways in which resveratrol protects your heart are reviewed in a paper published in "International Journal of Molecular Medicine" in 2001.
Other Benefits
Resveratrol may have other benefits for your health and your ability to fight off disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties, suppressing production of molecules called cytokines that help initiate inflammation, which may lead to many different disorders. Resveratrol may also help prevent cancer by protecting your body from carcinogenic compounds. It suppresses the activity of biotransformation enzymes that activate these chemicals, allowing your body to remove them before they can harm your cells. Finally, resveratrol also inhibits the action of enzymes cancer cells use to invade healthy tissue.
Recommendations
Extracts from red wine that contain resveratrol are available from most health food stores as dietary supplements. These preparations usually contain between 10 and 50 mg of resveratrol per tablet or capsule. Resveratrol supplements are generally considered safe, although a recommended dose has not been established as of 2011. The compound may interact with some medications, including blood thinners and drugs metabolized by biotransformation enzymes. Discuss its use with your doctor before adding resveratrol to your regimen.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Resveratrol
- MayoClinic.com: Red Wine and Resveratrol: Goor For Your Heart?
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Resveratrol
- "International Journal of Molecular Medicine"; Mechanism of Cardioprotection by Resveratrol, a Phenolic Antioxidant Present in Red Wine; J. Wu et al.; July 2001
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