Alcohol and Heart Diseases

Studies have shown some protective effect of alcohol intake for heart diseases. Researchers have shown that equivalent of two drinks per day of any kind of alcohol is associated with a decreased incidence of Coronary Heart Disease as compared with no drink. Higher doses than this results to increased risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke. 

The cardio protective effect of most alcoholic beverages are probably due to an elevation of high density lipoprotein HDL, the good cholesterol. Ability of alcohol to prevent platelet aggregation and increase fibrilolysis is also said to be the contributing factor.

Red Wine has increased favorable cardio protective effect as compared to the other type of wine. This is due to presence of Flavonoids in the red wine which are minimal in the white wine ( the the exception of Champagne).   The best researched flavonoids are Resveratrol and Quercetin which confer antioxidant properties more potent than alpha-tocopheraol.

Grape juice has about half the amount of Flavonoids by volume as compared to Red Wine.

Epidemiological studies have also suggested that the consumption of wine, particularly the red wine, reduces the incidence of mortality from coronary heart disease. This has given rise to what is now popularly known as “French Paradox“.

Even with all these fact it is not advisable to encourage alcohol consumption on regular basis. There is always chance for over consumption when it comes to alcohol use.