Hypertension and red wine: beneficial to the heart?
“Drinking red wine in moderation is beneficial to your health” and your blood pressure too. This is what emerged from a study by the Mayo Clinic in 2014. It is all down to a chemical substance called resveratrol, present in the skin of grapes and has the quality of thinning the blood and limiting the insurgence of thrombotic plaques. Red wine contains higher quantities of this substance as it is left to ferment with the grape skin for longer than white wine. Resveratrol can also be ingested by consuming grapes directly or drinking their juice, or by consuming other foods such as peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. How can moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages benefit our heart? Several studies have shown that the moderate consumption of red wine has the following effect on the heart:
- It helps lower blood pressure, hence fighting hypertension
- It increases HDL, commonly known as “good cholesterol”
- It reduces the risk of blood clots
Research has shown that the moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks, including red wine, can cause health benefits. It seems it could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve blood pressure. This is not to say that one should start drinking or consume excessive amounts, as alcohol abuse can cause very serious health problems. Neither the American Heart Association or the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute suggest that you start drinking wine to prevent heart disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of hypertension, cause liver damage and lead to obesity. Alcohol consumption is especially harmful during pregnancy. The recommended allowance for red wine is of one glass a day for all women and for men over 65 years of age, and of two glasses a day for men under 65 years of age. Now you know why consuming moderate amounts of red wine could be good for your heart and your blood pressure.
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