The truth about red wine and heart health (2024)

FAQs

Is red wine actually good for your heart? ›

Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood.

The claims range from how a glass a day — red wine especially — can reduce a person's risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and diabetes to how its antioxidants can help slow aging and limit stress in the brain. If you're someone who enjoys wine, this is welcome news.

In a large meta-analysis study (13 studies, over 200,000 patients) red wine intake reduced atherosclerotic (plaque build-up in the arteries) risk by 37% (2). Beer had a similar but smaller effect, suggesting red wine may have additional benefits beyond the alcohol content (2).

3. Myth: Red wine lowers blood pressure. Fact: There's no definitive evidence that red wine lowers blood pressure. In fact, alcohol actually raises blood pressure.

Plaque formation may be further hindered by the phenolic substances in red wine that possess antioxidant properties. Studies in rabbits, hamsters, and mice suggest that the antioxidant properties of wine limit early atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression.

Pinot Noir is perhaps one of the most popular red wines on the market. It also happens to be the most beneficial to heart health out of all options on the list. This is because it offers the highest concentration of resveratrol.

The nutritional value of beer exceeds that of wine . The values of protein, fiber, B vitamins, folate, and niacin found in beer make it more like food. Studies in mice showed that hops may inhibit obesity.

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water.

Alcohol, in low to moderate amounts, thins the blood, reducing the risk of clots. But moderation is key - and doctors don't recommend drinking alcohol to protect against DVT.

What to drink to clear your arteries? ›

Green Tea. Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which hinder the absorption of cholesterol during digestion. Drinking a cup or two each day can help to improve your blood-lipid levels and reduce arterial blockage.

Heart arrhythmias, falls, and severe drowsiness are a few examples of what can happen if you mix alcohol with blood pressure medications. Healthcare professionals recommend avoiding alcohol while taking blood pressure medications.

Pinot Noir: Rich in resveratrol, pinot noir has been associated with decreases in metabolic syndrome, improved cholesterol levels, and even enhanced mental health.

Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy time period can lead to brain damage, and may increase your risk of developing dementia. However, drinking alcohol in moderation has not been conclusively linked to an increased dementia risk, nor has it been shown to offer significant protection against developing dementia.

Your alcohol intake matters, too. In moderate amounts, red wine is commonly linked to healthy cholesterol levels. But drinking more hard liquor, beer, mixed drinks, and excess red wine has a negative impact on your cholesterol levels.

Alcohol is a common cause of liver disease. However, some contexts link moderate red wine consumption to good liver health. According to a 2018 study , modest alcohol intake, particularly wine, is linked with lower liver fibrosis in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Heart conditions: In people with chest pain, heart failure, or an enlarged heart, drinking alcohol might make these conditions worse. High blood pressure: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day can increase blood pressure and make high blood pressure worse.

One bottle of wine per week is associated with an increased absolute lifetime cancer risk for non-smokers of 1% for men and 1.4% for women. This equates one bottle of wine per week to five cigarettes for men, or 10 for women.

Drinking a bottle of wine per day is not considered healthy by most standards. However, when does it morph from a regular, innocent occurrence into alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism? First, it's important to note that building tolerance in order to drink an entire bottle of wine is a definitive red flag.

Kava and alcohol have that in common. Kava and alcohol can both give you that happy buzz. They are both great for social relaxation.

What happens when you stop drinking wine? ›

Symptoms/outcomes you may see

Onset of withdrawal symptoms which may include hand tremors, retching, excessive sweating, restlessness and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms continue. Alcohol cravings, reduced energy and feeling low or depressed are common. Sleep is likely to be disturbed.

So, now on to the all-important question, which alcohol is easiest on the liver? The quick answer is, none of them. The reason is that the main liver-damaging ingredient in all types of alcohol is ethanol. It doesn't matter which alcohol you chose, be it weak beer or grain alcohol.

Red Wine. Red wine is widely recognized as one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks out there. Poon notes that it's "relatively low in calories and also offers some health benefits."9 She adds that red wine is rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol and proanthocyanidins and can promote cardiovascular health.

beer at 5% ABV and a 5 oz. glass of wine at 12% ABV. At these proportions, the average glass of wine is equal to the average can of beer. As we go into more detail about this below, this means that there are, typically, five beers' worth of alcohol in a bottle of wine.

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are jam-packed with important nutrients that play a central role in heart health. Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to the development of heart disease ( 9 ).

Oatmeal and bran cereals are a heart-healthy way to start your day. They've got soluble fiber, which helps lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol. Other good sources are beans and whole grains like barley. You can also get it as a supplement, like psyllium, but a diet that's got lots of fiber is best.

Two glasses of red wine with dinner per night may provide more relief to inflamed, clogged arteries than two shots of gin, according to a study released this summer in the medical journal Atherosclerosis.

Yes, drinking alcohol can thin your blood because it prevents blood cells from sticking together and forming blood clots. This is why some researchers suggest that the occasional drink can actually lower your risk of ischemic strokes or strokes caused by blocked blood vessels.

What naturally dissolves artery plaque? ›

Allium Vegetables

Allium veggies like garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions, and shallots are all rich in organosulfur compounds, which, according to several studies, may help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, and platelet clumping — all of which are great for keeping arteries free and clear.

For example, the fiber in oatmeal can lower our blood cholesterol levels so that less gets stuck in our arteries, but there also are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytonutrients in oats that can prevent atherosclerotic build-up and then help maintain arterial function (see Can Oatmeal Reverse Heart Disease?).

Drinking wine every night can lead to weight gain, decreased immune function, and mental health issues [1]. Additionally, having more than a few drinks daily can affect liver health, resulting in liver damage or liver disease [2].

While many drink wine in the evenings to let go after a busy day, drinking it in the morning can help you start things off with less stress.

Too much can be destructive to your health, raising your blood pressure and your risk of developing several kinds of cancer. Too little may hold you back from some of the benefits that moderate drinkers enjoy, like lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, mortality and type-2 diabetes.

It's a common assumption that red wine may be good for the heart because it contains antioxidants such as resveratrol, which is primarily found in the skin of grapes but also peanuts and blueberries. Some studies suggest resveratrol can reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure.

Drinking too much alcohol can cause your blood pressure to rise over time. After 3-4 weeks of not drinking, your blood pressure will start to reduce. Reducing your blood pressure can be crucial as it can help to lessen the risk of health problems occurring in the future.

Can excess alcohol affect your blood pressure? Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension), your doctor may advise you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.

Similarly, the Mediterranean diet — which includes red wine in moderation — is thought to be heart-healthy. In fact, it is recommended by several associations, such as the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Does red wine raise blood pressure? ›

Red Wine and Beer Elevate Blood Pressure in Normotensive Men | Hypertension.

Studies suggest that a compound called resveratrol in wine has anti-inflammatory properties and may benefit health ( 5 , 6 ). One study in 4,461 adults demonstrated that moderate consumption of wine was linked to a reduced inflammatory response ( 7 ).

Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.

New Blood Pressure Standards for Seniors

The ideal blood pressure for seniors is now considered 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults. The high blood pressure range for seniors starts at hypertension stage 1, spanning between 130-139/80-89.

Cinnamon

A review of 9 studies including 641 participants showed that taking cinnamon reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 6.2 mm Hg and 3.9 mm Hg, respectively.

In moderation, however, drinking red wine increases HDL (“good” cholesterol). It also protects against artery damage, which may lower blood pressure and help prevent heart disease. Polyphenols, in particular, may protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart.

Red wine is known for being a healthier option over white wine. Reds are considered heart-healthy, because they contain higher levels of a substance called resveratrol. “The resveratrol found in red wine is a natural compound most often associated with grape skins,” Bohlman says.

In order to receive the heart health benefits of red wine, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than one drink a day for women and two a day for men. For reference, one drink is equal to five ounces, or 140ml of wine.

In moderate amounts, red wine is commonly linked to healthy cholesterol levels. But drinking more hard liquor, beer, mixed drinks, and excess red wine has a negative impact on your cholesterol levels.

Since many of the antioxidants in grapes are in the skin, red wine contains more antioxidants than white wine. Antioxidants are important for maintaining good health because they protect your cells from damage. The antioxidants found in wine are polyphenols, which are compounds found in plants.

Is a glass of red wine before bed good for you? ›

Unfortunately, even small amounts of alcohol, such as one glass of wine before bedtime, can disrupt sleep. "Ideally, people should restrict alcohol consumption to four hours before bedtime," explains Dr. Weiss.