Questions about wine selection for heart health arise because of research relating moderate consumption to a reduced risk of coronary artery disease. When it comes to heart health, wine may be a good choice, but excess consumption can lead to multiple health problems. For this reason, scientists have attempted to identify what you might call "the effective ingredient" in red wine. Is there a way to get the health benefits associated with wine, without the health risks? The answer is "yes".
Scientists believe that the health benefits of wine are related to a substance called "resveratrol". Over the past five years, resveratrol has been the subject of thousands of laboratory studies. It is found in grapes, mulberries, peanuts and other plants.
Wine
First identified in 1963 by scientists evaluating the effectiveness of an Asian Folk medicine called ko-jo-kon, resveratrol was later found in grapevines and finally, in 1992, in red wine. Suggestions for the best wine selection for heart health are determined by the known resveratrol content. Reds contain more than whites. In terms of heart health, wine made from Pinot Noir grapes are believed to be the very best, because they have the highest content of resveratrol.
It is interesting to note that grape juice does not contain resveratrol. Researchers are unable to fully explain this, since it is found in fresh grapes. It could have something to do with the fermentation process or the types or parts of the grapes used. The bottom line is that for heart health, wine is more beneficial than grape juice.
The benefit of resveratrol to the plant is known. It acts like an antibiotic, protecting the plant from disease, fungal and viral infections. The benefits to humans are still being studied. There have been positive reports in the Oxford Journal of Medicine and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. These reports indicate that there may be many benefits.
The main reason that a red wine selection for hearth health is recommended may be due to the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol. Researchers have linked chronic inflammation to both heart disease and cancer.
Resveratrol is also an antioxidant, which helps the body remove free radicals and other disease causing products from the blood stream. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to actually prevent cells from mutating into pre-cancerous forms. So, it's not just for heart health, wine consumed in moderation may prevent some forms of cancer.
Multiple studies have linked resveratrol to a reduced risk of coronary artery disease, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. When physicians recommend moderate consumption for heart health, wine selection for heart health or resveratrol supplements, they recommend a four ounce glass of wine per day or a supplement that contains an equal amount of resveratrol.
In most red wines each ounce contains about 160mcg per ounce. While no upper limit for resveratrol consumption has been established, 640mcg is acceptable for daily human consumption. This is the amount found in 4 ounces of red wine.
If you are concerned about wine selection for heart health, there are some good health supplements on the market, which contain resveratrol and other vitamins, herbs and minerals that promote heart health. Wine consumption is only one way to get resveratrol. It is also present in relatively large amounts in peanuts, but it is important to watch your total dietary intake of fat and peanuts are very high in fat. To learn more about how to protect yourself from heart disease, please visit Heart Health Diet Tips.com.
Best Wine Selection For Heart Health
Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about heart health. Read more at http://heart-health-diet-tips.com