Resveratrol is an antioxidant substance found in red wine. Moderate quantities of red wine have long been considered healthy for your heart. The heart-healthy benefits of red wine could be due to the presence of resveratrol, or other antioxidants known as flavonoids. The heart effects of resveratrol are not fully understood, and most research has been conducted on animals rather than humans. Consult your doctor before making dietary or lifestyle changes.
Resveratrol's Effects
Resveratrol appears to help reduce your "bad" cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots and prevent damage to blood vessels. High cholesterol levels, blood clots and damaged blood vessels all increase your risk of heart disease, so anything you can do to reduce these risks is healthier for your heart. MayoClinic.com also reports that resveratrol is tentatively linked to a lowered risk of the inflammation and blood clotting problems that can cause heart disease. More research is needed to prove or disprove this link.
Clinical Studies
Research carried out with mice indicates resveratrol may have a protective action against the development of diabetes and obesity. Both these medical conditions increase your risk of heart disease. However, comparable studies in humans have not as of yet been carried out. The effects of resveratrol in mice may differ from its effects on humans. Additionally, the doses of resveratrol administered to the mice in the study were equivalent to a person drinking 60 liters of wine daily.
Other Food Sources
Resveratrol occurs naturally in grapes; grape juice; peanuts; and certain berries including cranberries, bilberries and blueberries. Red wine is the richest source of resveratrol, as it contains between 0.29 and 1.89 mg of this antioxidant in a five-oz. glass. Peanut butter comes with up to 0.13 mg of resveratrol in a 258 g cup, and red grapes contain up to 1.25 mg of resveratrol in a 160 g cup. Resveratrol dietary supplements are available in the U.S., containing between 10 and 50 mg of resveratrol per daily serving. No recommended daily intake of resveratrol supplements has been established.
Other Beverages
White wine, beer or liquor may be equal to red wine in terms of overall heart-healthy benefits, according to an article by MayoClinic.com staff. At the time of publication, no studies have conclusively proven that red wine is better for your heart than other forms of alcohol. Heavy consumption of any type of alcoholic beverage can lead to a range of health problems including obesity and cardiovascular disease. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about your alcohol intake, or a loved one's drinking habits.
