Red wine contains a compound called resveratrol, which can increase your levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the "good" cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. This may help lower your risk of atherosclerosis, which damages the walls of your arteries. The moderate consumption of red wine is thought to have beneficial effects on your heart.
Benefits
Resveratrol, which is present in the skin of wine grapes, belongs to a group of compounds called polyphenols. Red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine because red wine is fermented longer with the grape skins. Resveratrol, which appears to have a protective effect on the lining of blood vessels, also prevents your blood from clotting and raises HDL levels. Eating grapes and drinking grape juice may also benefit your heart in similar ways.
Moderate Consumption
While moderate consumption of red wine may be beneficial, excessive amounts of any kind of alcohol are known to have a detrimental effect on your body. Moderate consumption means one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, on average. One drink of wine is 5 oz. Men can drink more because they weigh more than women and have a greater capacity for metabolizing alcohol.
HDL
The amount by which red wine can raise HDL levels varies by individual. A minimal HDL level is 40, with 60 and above the most desirable. HDL levels depend mostly on genetics, but they can be influenced by other factors, such as diet and exercise. Obesity, a lack of physical activity, smoking, and a diet high in refined carbohydrates can lower HDL, according to the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Additional Information
Resveratrol supplements are also available. They appear to be safe, but your body is not able to absorb them well. Also, if you don't already drink alcohol, you should not begin drinking just to raise your levels of good cholesterol. If you are taking other medications, you should check with your doctor about whether alcohol can interact with them. The French, who traditionally consume a high-fat diet but who regularly drink red wine, have a significantly lower incidence of heart-related problems than Americans, according to Diabetes Health.
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