We are often told that red wine is good for your health, but do we really know why?
In countries where red wine is consumed in large quantities, such as Italy and France, there are fewer problems with heart disease and fatal strokes. Whereas, in countries like North America and the UK, where red wine is consumed in smaller quantities, the problem is considerably greater. The reason for this is due to the chemicals in red wine which include polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants and are found in several different sources, including grapes and wine, as well as beer, tea, coffee, olive oil, chocolate and cocoa, peanuts, and other fruits and vegetables.
The skin of the red grape (and therefore a component of red wine) contains resveratrol, which is a phytoalexin, or natural antibiotic. This is produced when the plant is being attacked by bacteria or fungi, and is a vital antioxidant for the cardiovascular system. These antioxidants work by helping to reduce oxygen damage caused by substances called free radicals, which can lead to cell dysfunction and the development of heart disease and diabetes. Resveratrol is known to help increase HDL or good cholesterol levels, while trials are underway on its anti-cancer properties.
Is all cholesterol bad?
No, the body needs cholesterol, it is vital to ensure normal functioning. Without it, the body would not function, however, high levels in the blood system are associated with atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of coronary heart disease. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body by proteins called lipoproteins.
The two main types of lipoproteins are LDL and HDL:
- LDL- low density lipoproteins – is the bad and harmful type of cholesterol. Having too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk is worse if you have higher LDL cholesterol levels with lower HDL cholesterol levels. If you are at risk for heart disease and your LDL level is 100 mg/dL or higher, your cholesterol may be too high.
- HDL- high density lipoprotein – is a type of good and protective cholesterol. HDL stops the buildup of cholesterol on the walls of the arteries. If your HDL cholesterol level is below 40 mg/dL, your risk of heart disease is much higher. The higher your HDL cholesterol levels, the better. The average for men is around 45 mg/dL and for women 55 mg/dL.
Cholesterol, food and red wine.
A major misconception that many people have is that most foods are full of cholesterol. This is not so, there is actually very little cholesterol in food. The ones to be careful with are eggs, shellfish and organ meats. The type of fat in the food is key, so when you choose a food, make sure it contains unsaturated fat and not saturated fat.
Saturated fat (the bad fat) is found mostly in animal products like sausages, butter, lard, bacon, cakes, cookies, cakes, and pastries. This is the fat that we must reduce. Excess saturated fat raises cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Unsaturated fat (the good fat) is found in fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and fresh tuna, sunflower and olive oils, nuts, and avocados. These fats can greatly reduce cholesterol levels. Many of us need to cut back on bad animal fats and, where possible, replace them with a food high in polyunsaturated fats. By doing this, and having the occasional glass of red wine, we will improve our health dramatically.
But remember, always drink your red wine in moderation, one glass of red wine for women and two glasses for men will reduce heart attack risks by 30 to 50 percent. And of course get a lot of exercise.
Some of the red wine varieties that I would recommend are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Shiraz.