Hidden secrets to wine revealed

At a time when we are all being told to live a healthier lifestyle, count our calories and look after our pennies, you would think most people would be turning away from wine.

But the facts say this is not so. Month on month, the figures for wine consumption are remaining steadily high, despite the economic downturn. While there are many social benefits to having a glass of wine with a meal, are there other factors that keep people coming back for more?

Health Benefits

Many wine wholesalers and specialists have mentioned the health benefits of wine and there have been pieces of anecdotal evidence suggesting red wine in particular can do some good. There was a case not so long ago of a British man who turned 100 and shocked the country with the announcement that he believed he owed a good deal of his longevity to a large glass of red every evening for 80 years. But aside from hearsay and heart-warming stories, is there any medical proof that wine is actually good for you?

The short answer is yes. Red wine, in moderate amounts, has long been thought of as substance that is healthy for your heart. This is due to the alcohol itself as well as certain substances in the wine called antioxidants that can help the heart stay healthy.

Antioxidants are known to mop up the body's free radicals, which can cause cellular damage, particularly to the arteries around the heart. Antioxidants are also known to increase the levels of "good" cholesterol in the body, which also helps the heart stay healthy and prevents the clogging up of arteries.

Red Wine and the Heart

This is all good news for wine lovers, but there is something else in red wine that is even more powerful and helpful in maintaining a healthy heart. One particular type of antioxidant called resveratrol has drawn the attention of medical professionals the world over for its potential benefits to heart health. Resveratrol is found in the skin of the wine grapes, which is why red wine, for which the fermenting process leaves skins on, is better for you than white, when the grape skins are removed early in the process. It is thought that resveratrol lowers harmful types of cholesterol, helps to prevent damage to blood vessels and also stops blood clots from forming.

To test the theory, medical teams have performed a number of studies with animals on the effects of resveratrol on the body. Research involving mice suggests that as well as maintaining a healthy heart, the antioxidant can also protect them from obesity and diabetes. Other studies have suggested that resveratrol is linked to a lower risk of inflammation and blood clotting, both of which are serious contributors to the development of heart disease.

As well as the heart-healthy antioxidants contained in wine, the alcohol itself has some beneficial effects on the body and in particular the heart. It has been shown that alcohol raises the HDL cholesterol levels (the 'good' type) and reduces formation of blood clots. It has also been shown to help in preventing arterial damage caused by the 'bad' LDL cholesterol.

Taking all this into account, wine certainly seems to have some positive benefits for the body and in particular the heart. More research is needed before doctors can say definitively how effective the odd glass of wine is in keeping hearts healthy. And as with anything, moderation is the key.