Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?
Resveratrol might be a key ingredient that makes red wine heart healthy. Learn the facts � and hype � about red wine and how it affects your heart.
Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.
Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood. But part of the benefit might be that antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol buildup.
Doctors don't recommend that you start drinking alcohol for heart benefits, especially if you have a family history of alcohol addiction. Too much alcohol can have many harmful effects on your body.
But if you already enjoy a glass of red wine with your evening meal, drinking it in moderation appears to help your heart.
How is red wine heart healthy?
Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that's gotten attention for its health benefits.
Alcohol itself may have some protective effects when consumed in moderation.
Resveratrol in red wine
Resveratrol might help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and prevent blood clots.
However, studies on resveratrol are mixed. Some research shows that resveratrol could be linked to a lower risk of inflammation and blood clotting, which can lower your risk of heart disease. But other studies found no benefits from resveratrol in preventing heart disease.
More research is needed to determine if resveratrol lowers the risk of inflammation and blood clotting.
Resveratrol in grapes, supplements and other foods
The resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Because red wine is fermented with grape skins longer than white wine, red wine contains more resveratrol.
Simply eating grapes or drinking grape juice might be a way to get resveratrol without drinking alcohol. Red and purple grape juices may have some of the same heart-healthy benefits of red wine.
Peanuts, blueberries and cranberries also contain some resveratrol. It's not yet known how beneficial eating grapes or other foods might be compared with drinking red wine when it comes to promoting heart health. The amount of resveratrol in food and red wine can vary widely.
Resveratrol supplements also are available. Researchers haven't found any harm in taking resveratrol supplements, but your body can't absorb most of the resveratrol in supplements.
How might alcohol help the heart?
There's still no clear evidence that beer, white wine or liquor aren't any better than red wine for heart health.
Various studies have shown that moderate amounts of all types of alcohol benefit your heart, not just alcohol found in red wine. It's thought that alcohol:
- Raises HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
- Reduces the formation of blood clots
- Helps prevent artery damage caused by high levels of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
- May improve the function of the layer of cells that line your blood vessels
Drink in moderation � or not at all
The potential heart-healthy benefits of red wine and other alcoholic drinks look promising. Those who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, including red wine, seem to have a lower risk of heart disease.
However, it's important to understand that studies comparing moderate drinkers to nondrinkers might overestimate the benefits of moderate drinking because nondrinkers might already have health problems.
More research is needed before we know whether red wine is better for your heart than other forms of alcohol, such as beer or spirits.
The American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute don't recommend that you start drinking alcohol just to prevent heart disease. Alcohol can be addictive and can cause or worsen other health problems.
Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of:
- Liver and pancreas diseases
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Certain types of cancer
- Stroke
- Accidents, violence and suicide
- Weight gain and obesity
Avoid alcohol completely if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have a personal or strong family history of alcoholism
- Have a liver or pancreas disease associated with alcohol consumption
- Have heart failure or a weak heart
- Take certain medications
If you have questions about the benefits and risks of alcohol, talk to your doctor about specific recommendations for you.
If you already drink red wine, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means:
- Up to one drink a day for women of all ages.
- Up to one drink a day for men older than age 65.
- Up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. The limit for men is higher because men generally weigh more than women and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.
A drink is defined as:
- 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer
- 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine
- 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281
The article author is making a number of good points about Margaret River Wines overall in this content underneath.
A sampling of Margaret River Wines available for sampling, with rankings to show the quantity of acidity in the red wine, suggests that many of these are very basic, otherwise downright boring. Of the few ones that are a bit more fascinating - the California Red and also the grape ranges of Mocha, Argentinian, and Italian White - all have a rather reduced acidity than the majority of others on offer.
Many wines also appear to be really tight. The taste buds don't get much time to "breathe" prior to being required to ingest. There are many points to think about, in selecting wines, but the ordinary consumer, not aware of the differences, will be at an extreme disadvantage.
Primarily, consider grape selections. California grapes have actually traditionally had far better qualities, with many others having been left off the marketplace for political reasons. Uncertain grapes, such as Sancerre, have actually caused some instead poor wines being labeled as sparkling wine.
Various other factors to consider consist of the top quality of treatment of the grapes before the production of the red wine. Some vineyards take the very early selecting of the grapes too far, requiring them to ripen, creating the grapes to get stronger, yet still just partly mature. This additionally leads to grapes with an extremely strong taste, which can be rather tough to camouflage.
Great vineyards, keep in mind, take advantage of nutrient-rich dirt which includes excellent dirt structure, shade, as well as light. Not all vineyards have managed to generate actually fantastic wines, with too much tannin, which might be the secret to these wines. The all-natural acidity in wines can be rather high, however the best wines will certainly additionally have sufficient tannin to provide a little balance.
Grape ranges also have an impact on the taste, frequently making a grape extremely unpleasant when grown on too many vines. The generalization is that a white wine made from a grape selection that creates an extremely strong, yet very high acidity a glass of wine will often have no long suits. Be certain to read up on what you're acquiring, so you can be as educated as possible.
When the moment involves attempt the Margaree merlots have a tendency to interest many people. Some names that have actually seen some excellent success, consist of Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, as well as Shiraz. Gewurztraminer such as Red wine and Chardonnay appear to do a great task of matching the design of the reds. I have actually listened to that the Shiraz grape ranges have a good scent, that makes them perfect for gewurztraminers.
White wines, he said on the various other hand, are commonly paired with reds or gras. It's difficult to locate a good white wine, which isn't a superb red wine, so attempt the white and also merlots side-by-side to learn which one suits your taste. Shiraz seems to be extra preferred than the Sauvignon Blanc grape selections, possibly due to the fact that it has a reduced acidity level.
It's generally concurred that Wine red grapes, Italian white grapes, Italian red grapes and American whites are the most effective grapes for dry wines. English Sauvignon Blanc grapes seem to be the most appropriate for storing wines in barrel, as opposed to vatting.
When you first receive your tasting notes from Margaret River Wines, you ought to pay attention to the total taste, texture, as well as fragrance of the a glass of wine. It is typical for a red wine to have a small barnyard odor. The grapes ought to have a terrific aroma, in addition to a virtually beautiful look.
When tasting white wine, always keep in mind to sip slowly. Also, attempt to pair a glass of wine with food, which also appeals to your taste, as you will find that a white wine compliments your food equally as well as a beef or lamb meal will enhance your a glass of wine.
In the end, there is no replacement for enjoying a glass of wine. So enjoy your times at the red wine bar, and keep an open mind.
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