This is why red wine is good for your heart

Antioxidants provided by dark peels, such as procyanidins, have been associated with health benefits, including protection against heart disease and possibly longevity.

This is why red wine is good for your heart
Is wine good for the heart? Photo by rikkia hughes / Unsplash

The antioxidants contained in wine can help prevent cardiovascular diseases because they increase the levels of 'good' cholesterol and have a protective effect on the arteries. But be careful! Excessive consumption can have very serious health consequences.

Is drinking a glass of wine a day good for the heart? Cardiologists and nutritionists are regularly questioned on this subject by patients. We have already addressed this issue on occasion in the FEC's FAQ section. Nevertheless, it never hurts to revisit the subject and review the causes of the cardioprotective effect of this alcoholic beverage.

According to the American Heart Association, numerous scientific studies over the last few decades have addressed moderate alcohol consumption and its association with reduced deaths from heart disease in certain population groups.

Most of the research suggests that the benefits may be due to the consumption of wine, especially red wine, a beverage rich in flavonoids (which provide a vasodilator effect, beneficial for the arteries), tannins, and polyphenols (present in the seeds and skin of grapes), which function as antioxidants against molecules known as free radicals.

More benefits of wine

Other studies show that resveratrol, another substance present in wine, could be related to a lower risk of inflammation and blood clotting, which would have a preventive effect on the development of heart disease. If you are interested in more information, watch this video where the effects of wine consumption on the arteries are discussed.

What is moderate consumption?

By 'moderate consumption' we mean one glass of red wine a day, ideally with a meal, to delay the absorption of ethanol and reduce the level of alcohol in the blood.

Who should not drink wine?

We must not forget that alcohol is toxic when ingested in high quantities and that it is contraindicated in the following cases:

Diabetics;
Pregnant women;
Children and adolescents;
People with liver disease and serious heart disease or some arrhythmias;
People taking certain medications.

Finally, remember that it should always be a doctor who individually assesses the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption in each particular situation. Drinking alcohol can have beneficial or harmful effects, depending on the amount, the age of the person, his or her lifestyle, etc.