In 2008, a landmark study revealed that drinking two glasses of red wine a day could protect one from heart disease.
This was accepted with much jubilation and glass-clinking by wine lovers everywhere.
New data published in the American Heart Association Journal this Sept 6, 2012 says that "dealcoholized red wine decreases blood pressure…."
Improves blood flow to vital organs
The authors wanted to determine the effects of non-alcoholic red wine on blood pressure and nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide helps dilate the blood vessels and improve blood flow to vital organs.
Sixty-seven men with risk factors for heart disease were enrolled in the study.
At the end of the observation period, the men assigned to receive non-alcoholic red wine had lower blood pressure readings and elevated nitric oxide levels versus the other volunteers, the alcoholic red wine group and the gin group.
Helps blood vessels from forming clots
The benefit lies in the antioxidant, called resveratrol, contained in the wine. It increases the levels of "good" cholesterol which can protect one from cardiovascular disease. Resveratrol also protects the lining of the blood vessels from damage. Damaged blood vessels encourage clot formation leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Before this information was published, doctors were careful about encouraging patients to take 2 glasses of red wine daily for fear of the many harmful effects of too much alcohol on the body.
With this data, it appears that non-alcoholic red wine would be a better choice.
***
Dr. Diana Sarmiento is a mother of three, part-time doctor, and a full-time wife and mother. The topics closest to her heart are women’s health, parenting, and any new information that she can get her hands on. Read more on her personal blog, Filipina M.D.
