The Truth Behind Red Wine's Effect on Health

"Red wine has had its share of positive messaging. The identification of the French paradox in the 1980s solidified the status of red wine, and it then made its way into the popular zeitgeist. The French paradox was identified and named after some interesting observations that came out that were backed by science. Most notably, it appeared that French people were consuming just as much saturated fat as people in other European countries, but their incidence of adverse cardiac events was way less. More research ensued."

"Longitudinal, cross-sectional, and randomized studies mostly showed that consuming light or moderate amounts of red wine on a regular basis resulted in higher HDLs, lower fibrinogen, healthier vascular epithelium, and better insulin resistance-all factors in keeping arteries healthy and cardiovascular disease at bay. Part of the miraculous effects of red wine on cardiovascular health was attributed to the polyphenols in red wine and, in particular, resveratrol. Research found that resveratrol alone could have a somewhat protective effect on cardiovascular health."

"More Good News Then, along came the Blue Zones in the early 2000s. Blue Zones are communities in the world where there are plenty of people living to be 100 or more. Turns out many of them drink red wine every day, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All that wine drinking did not seem to be affecting them adversely. Quite the opposite."

Red wine consumption became associated with cardiovascular benefits after the French paradox observation that French populations had fewer cardiac events despite similar saturated fat intake. Multiple longitudinal, cross-sectional, and randomized studies linked light to moderate red wine intake with higher HDL, lower fibrinogen, healthier vascular endothelium, and improved insulin resistance, all of which protect arteries. Polyphenols in red wine, particularly resveratrol, were implicated and showed some independent protective effects. Observations from Blue Zones noted frequent daily red wine consumption among many long-lived communities without obvious adverse effects. Subsequent closer analysis revealed important caveats and that other dietary components also contribute to cardiovascular protection.

Read at Psychology Today