newjerseynewsroom.com

BY WENDY L. LEONARD

“Is drinking red wine really good for your health?”

Wow, I don’t think a week goes by without somebody asking me that question. The short answer is: Maybe.

The flurry of interest about wine consumption and health isn’t new. It really took off back in 1819, when an Irish doctor named Samuel Black made the observation that despite the French people’s high intake of saturated fats (like pork, butter and cheese), they simply weren’t dying of heart attacks and strokes at nearly the rate as people living in other countries eating similar diets (like here in America).

Dr. Black postulated that it was the French peoples’ propensity for daily wine drinking (20-30g per day) that was responsible for the counteractive effect; hence, the term, “French Paradox” – and scientists have been researching it ever since. So, what does the science say?

To begin with, there are really good, large-scale studies published in world-renowned scientific journals that strongly suggest that wine may be good for your heart. For example, there’s a study involving nearly 50,000 people (over a 10+ year period) that found that women who enjoy one glass of wine with dinner – and men who enjoy two glasses of wine with dinner – really do have a lower incidence of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

Another encouraging study (involving over 13,000 people over 11 years) found that men and women who drank wine in moderation were far less likely to die of heart attacks or strokes, as compared to people who didn’t drink wine. So far, so good. Let’s look at the mechanisms at work.

The apparent cause of wine’s health benefits are the anti-oxidant capabilities of the flavonoid called resveratrol in the red wine (which also gives the grapes their beautiful color) that’s responsible for imparting the protective effect. And indeed, there are lots of studies that demonstrate that resveratrol alters the coagulation system – which means it inhibits the formation of blood clots. Studies also show that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory capabilities, can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, elevate “good” HDL cholesterol, and even helps lower blood pressure.

But, if you noticed, I began the last paragraph with the qualifier “apparent causes”. So, why the controversy? Here’s the thing: This association may be more about lifestyle than about the wine or the resveratrol. A study of 48,773 men and women found that both men and women who drink wine are also far more likely to have a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, eat more fish, and cook with olive oil – all of which we know is associated with improved heart health.

You know what else? Wine drinkers are also less likely to be smokers, have more formal education, and have the healthiest BMI scores – as opposed to those folks whose beverage of choice is beer or hard liquor. Plus, more formal education tends to result in a higher socio-economic status – which tends to afford people the ability to live in healthier surroundings, as well as enjoying better overall healthcare access. See where I’m going?

Getting back to the wine, studies also show that women who drink more than one glass of wine a day – and men who drink more than two glasses of wine a day – not only don’t get that “protective” effect of the wine, they’re also more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. So, people’s general tendencies towards moderation – or lack thereof – may also be germane.

There’s also a really interesting six-year study (involving 12,017 women and 8,280 men) which found that the women who drank at least 5 glasses of water per day reduced their risk of dying from heart disease by 41%; and the men who drank at least 5 glasses of water each day reduced their risk by a whopping 54%.

So, is water the magic bullet? Or, is it reasonable to suggest that the type of people who choose to drink 5 glasses of water each and every day, might also choose to lead healthier lifestyles, in general? This is what I’m saying.

Which brings me back to question at hand: Is drinking red wine really good for your health?

It does seem that drinking red wine in moderation may have some real heart-healthy benefits. There’s also some very promising research about resveratrol and chemo-prevention, in terms of inhibiting tumor initiation, promotion and progression. I’ll be addressing that (and other health issues that have nothing to do with wine) in future articles.

But if you’re still wondering what I personally think about red wine … I think it’s delicious.