Red wine has gotten a lot of “buzz” in the news and media in the last several years regarding it’s link to prevention of heart disease. The main components of red wine that have been shown to be beneficial to us are the flavonoids and antioxidants which come from the red grape. According to the American Heart Association, there have not been any direct comparison studies to determine the specific effect of wine on the development of heart disease. The linkage in these studies may have also been due to other lifestyle factors such as increased activity and a diet low in saturated fats.
Overall, we know that red wine offers more heart healthy benefits than other varieties, however more studies need to be done to determine the exact relationship between red wine and heart health. As always, moderation is key. It is recommended that females have no more than 1 drink a day and males, no more than 2 drinks a day (a drink is one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits).
-Kelsey