Likewise, some people may believe in the alleged health benefits of red wine (mostly due to its antioxidant profile) and support their habit of having a glass or more of wine a night. But here’s the problem: despite the aura surrounding red wine for decades, it’s not really a “health” food.
Read on to learn the hard truth about red wine, how it gained its reputation as a heart-healthy tonic, and how much of it is fair to drink.
Why We Believe Red Wine Is Good for Your Heart
There are several reasons why red wine has gotten so much publicity over the years, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. First, there are its antioxidant properties. “Red wine contains resveratrol, a polyphenol found in the skin of red grapes, which has been shown to have potential cardiovascular benefits, including reducing inflammation and preventing blood clots,” says Amy Shapiro, RD, CDN, of Real Nutrition in New York City. “Red wine also contains flavonoids and polyphenols, which may help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.”
Second, red wine is a regular menu item in some cultures known for its general heart health and longevity. In the “Blue Zone” of Sardinia, Italy (i.e., areas with much longer life expectancy and healthy lifespans than average), it is common practice to enjoy a glass or two of red wine with Mediterranean cuisine. Blue Zone expert Dan Buettner claims that this practice “can quadruple the absorption of flavonoids, or antioxidants.” [of the meal] And lower your cortisol levels,” Shapiro also said. The French Paradox2Or, “observations of a French population with a diet rich in saturated fat and moderate consumption of red wine, but with a low incidence of heart disease.”
Start of previous research Back in the late 1970sthree Also linked Moderate consumption of red wine and/or alcohol4 There are potential heart health benefits, according to a recent 2019 review of studies published in the journal molecule Existing evidence suggests that “moderate consumption of red wine may have a cardioprotective effect.” However, many of these studies were observational, meaning they drew associations rather than definitively establishing causality, and some involved very small numbers of people. This means that more research is needed to understand why these potential benefits occur and whether they are universal.
False promises about the health benefits of red wine
It’s easy to look at these little details through rose-colored lenses, but it’s important not to read too much into them. First of all, there’s still a lot to learn about the benefits of resveratrol and whether it actually does much for humans. 2012 Review6 Published in the journal The forefront of pharmacologyResveratrol may have compelling circumstantial and experimental evidence, but there are no solid clinical studies on polyphenols (And still7) is lacking.
Even if there is ~was “Red wine has low levels of resveratrol,” Shapiro said, despite the many studies supporting the benefits of resveratrol. Basically, you probably many To see any benefits. And considering that drinking any kind of alcohol in large quantities has many dangerous downsides… it’s not really feasible or safe. 2016 A review of studies on resveratrol and its benefits8 “It is impossible to absorb the recommended therapeutic dose of resveratrol through drinking wine or through food,” they found.
“Despite the health benefits found in red wine, studies have not found that any type of alcoholic beverage—wine, beer, or spirits—reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.” —Amy Shapiro, RD, CDN
When we look at wine drinkers among the long-lived population, it is clear that there are many other things going on that may have a greater impact on their health. For example, Sardinians regularly walk or cycle on hilly terrain, and are estimated to have 47% of daily calories come from whole grain carbohydrates9Both contribute to an overall heart-healthy lifestyle, although a more generally healthy user bias may also be at play. Research to date positions red wine as a health food.10People who enjoy moderate amounts of sweets (rather than excessive amounts) are more likely to have the discipline and means to stick to other healthy habits, such as sticking to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
At the end of the day, it’s also important to remember that red wine is alcohol. Alcohol is not (and never will be) a health food. Does it taste good? Yes. Does it make you feel good at parties? Yes. However, many high-quality studies have linked moderate alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer. Cardiovascular disease11and No benefit to mortality12.
Summary: “Despite the healthful compounds found in red wine, studies have not found that any type of alcoholic beverage—wine, beer, or spirits—reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Shapiro said. Yuck, yuck.
Can Red Wine Help You Live a Healthy Lifestyle?
So… should you ban red wine completely, literally or figuratively? Moderation is the name of the game, according to Shapiro. She says you don’t necessarily have to go on a strict fast, as long as you don’t exceed the upper limit of one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men. (But that shouldn’t be considered a green light, similar to the recommendations for water, protein, fiber, etc.)
“It’s also important to consider individual health factors related to alcohol consumption, such as age, medical history, medications, and family history,” Shapiro continues. And if you *must* drink alcohol, red wine is still a good choice compared to most other options. “Red wine is considered healthier than white wine because it has about 10 times more polyphenols. Beer contains similar phenolic compounds to red wine, but in lower amounts,” she says.
Still, it’s important to go back to the fact that any kind of alcohol is still a poison… end. Furthermore, red wine consumption is likely to do more harm than good, given its potential to increase the risk of dependence, liver disease, impaired judgment, accidents, and other adverse effects.
All things considered, you should view your red wine consumption as something to limit rather than add or expect for your heart and overall well-being. Drinking red wine is ~ No A silver bullet for health and longevity. Rather, “red wine consumption should be in the context of an overall healthy lifestyle, complementing other healthy habits such as a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep,” Shapiro concluded.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, credible, and recent robust research to support the information we share. You can trust us on your wellness journey.
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