Why French Red Wine is the Best Wine for the Heart

French red wine grapes contain one of highest known naturally occurring sources of resveratrol. These grapes have come to be known as the super-antioxidants of the red wine grape world.

The French have long been known for their consumption of rich pasta dishes, heavy cream sauces, fatty cheeses, and oil soaked breads. It is also well known the French enjoy their abundance of red wine. The robust wine generally accompanies the evening meal.

Studies have shown that despite their consumption of fatty, high caloric foods, the French have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease than that of Americans and Europeans living outside of wine country. The obvious difference in the diet of the comparison groups is the wine consumed with the meals. Interest in the studies has led to further testing of red wine grapes.

It is the antioxidants in red wine that provide the health benefits received in the consumption of the beverage. These antioxidants are polyphenols, anthrocyanidins, and resveratrol, with resveratrol being the most potent of all. Resveratrol has shown to be from 20-50 percent more effective than Vitamin C alone. When combined with Vitamin C, the effect of both is greatly enhanced.

Red wine grapes provide us with many benefits, including the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, keeping bone structure healthy and functioning properly, and maintaining loco-motor and balance activity. They also have been shown to inhibit prostrate and breast cancer cell lines. Resveratrol, though, effectively lowers cholesterol, reduces inflammation of the heart, and is highly effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. It has also been demonstrated to have an anti-clotting effect and prevents the formation of blood clots in the vessels. It is believed the formation of fibrinous clots in the small blood vessels and chambers of the heart are the cause of strokes and heart attacks.

French red wine grapes are more effective at fighting heart disease and high cholesterol due to the higher content of resveratrol. Therefore, French red wine is the best wine for the heart. Consuming alcohol on a regular basis, though, can bring with it a host of other medical problems.

When a person consumes an alcoholic drink, the body begins metabolizing the alcohol to reduce the toxic effect. It first converts the alcohol to acetaldehyde, primarily in the liver. This step occurs quickly in those that consume alcohol frequently and leaves acetaldehyde in the body for several hours. The acetaldehyde is converted to acetate and the acetate metabolized to produce energy.

Acetaldehyde is responsible for most of the unwanted toxic effects of alcohol consumption. It deprives the brain of oxygen at the cellular level, causes deficiencies of vitamins and enzymes, and inhibits Prostaglandin synthesis. This can result in memory loss, mental confusion, vision problems, insomnia, depression, and agitation among several other problems. Continued use of alcohol can result in liver disease and brain damage.

We can still enjoy the healthful benefits of French red wine by drinking it in moderation. French red wine extract is also available in capsule form through pharmaceutical laboratories. This allows us to enjoy all the health benefits of French red wine without any of the harmful effects of alcohol on a daily basis. French red wine extract capsules can be found for sale in some health food stores and via sales over the Internet.

Source: Helium.com