Red wine and resveratrol; 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 heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage. Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart.
A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that's received a lot of attention. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring antioxidant that's commonly found in red grape skins and thus, red wine. Resveratrol might be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces "bad" cholesterol, and prevents blood clots.
Most research on resveratrol has been done on animals, not people. Research in mice given reservatrol had positive healthful effects, including preventing heart disease, lower cholesterol, protect them from obesity and diabetes, lowering blood sugar levels, preventing cancer, and other anti-aging benefits |