|
Red wine defends from the cardiovascular illnesses: new scientific evidences
"Endothelin-1 synthesis reduced by red wine", this is the title of one "brief communication" appeared on the scientific magazine Nature (vol. 414, pagg. 863-4, number of December 20-27 th 2001) in which is brought the experimental evidence that red wines inhibit the synthesis of the peptide Endothelin-1, a vasoactive peptide that is crucial in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The findings indicate that components specific to red wine may help to prevent coronary heart disease.
A correct consumption of wine, mainly red wine, is healthy, contributing to prevent cardiovascular and tumor pathologies.
Although excessive alcohol consumption is extremely harmful, many studies have shown that people who drink 1-2 glasses of red wine per day have lower rates of heart disease, and generally live longer.
Moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks/day) is associated with decreased Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk in both men and women. Small daily doses seem to have a more protective effect than an equal single daily dose. Moderate doses of alcoholic beverages also have a protective effect in individuals who have already suffered a myocardial infarct (heart attack), by reducing the risk of subsequent heart attacks. This observed J–shape relationship is especially consistent among drinkers of red wine. This association gained particular attention amongst the French population, because despite their high intake of saturated fats and other particularly unhealthy foods, their rate of heart disease was relatively low due to their wine intake; a phenomenon known as the “French paradox”.
Red wine possesses several potentially heart-healthy mechanisms, including favorable effect on blood clotting, endothelial function and serum lipids (most notably the ability to raise levels of HDL ‘good' cholesterol).
The cardio-protective effects observed in red wine drinkers are thought to be attributed at least in part to the moderate alcohol intake, but especially due the polyphenolic compounds red wine possesses; most notably, a flavonoid called resveratrol. Laboratory studies have revealed that resveratrol possesses several cardio-protective actions as well as cancer-protective effects. This may explain why some population studies have found a slight decrease in the risk of some cancers among moderate red wine drinkers.
Consequently, 1 to 2 glasses of red wine (with a meal) for men and 1 glass for women, several days of the week, may help to fight heart disease.
How Red Wine increases HDL “good” Cholesterol
Alcohol, particularly red wine, has been shown to be able to increase serum concentrations of HDL “good” cholesterol.
Studies in France have also found that drinkers of red wine have higher levels of HDL “good” cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 ( a substance found in HDL known to prevent the accumulation of cholesterol loaded white blood cells which deposit on the arterial wall as “foam cells”; a prominent early feature of atherosclerotic lesion formation ) than non-drinkers.
Effect on Vascular Endothelium
Another important process in the development of atherosclerosis is the proliferation of smooth muscle cells from the outer layer of the arteries into the inner layer called the tunic intima. This causes the arteries to narrow and lose their elasticity which leads to formation of atherosclerotic plaques and eventually blocks the arteries. This proliferation occurs when platelets secrete a substance called Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF). Studies in vitro have found that red wine but not white wine, has a beneficial effect on these vascular smooth muscle cells by interfering with the biochemical pathways involved in PDGF, thus having a protective effect by preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation and consequently slowing the development of atherosclerosis. Importantly, the concentrations of red wine shown to inhibit the PDGFR in vitro are similar to levels likely to be found in human blood after red wine consumption.
An 8-week long randomized crossover trial in Italy investigated the effect of moderate red wine intake on cardiovascular disease risk factors using 48 men and women between 35-65 years old. The results showed that red wine consumption had significant beneficial effects on all the risk factors assessed. Red wine consumption significantly increased HDL “good” cholesterol, decreased the ratio between LDL/HDL (bad and good cholesterol) and increased apolipoprotein A1 ( a substance found in HDL known to prevent the accumulation of cholesterol loaded macrophages which deposit on the arterial wall as foam cells; a prominent early feature of atherosclerotic lesion formation ). Moreover, red wine consumption caused significant decreases in fibrinogen, factor VII , plasma C-reactive protein, and oxidized LDL antibody, whilst causing significant increases total plasma antioxidant capacity. All these factors suggest a protective effect of red wine on cardiovascular disease.
These studies provide evidence that both the alcohol and the non-alcoholic components of red wine can exert significantly beneficial effects by preventing formation of atherosclerosis, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. One or two glasses of red wine per day with meals may afford the best protection.
Red Wine and Cancer
Although excessive alcohol intake has been shown to increase the risk of various cancers, there is some evidence to suggest that frequent moderate red wine intake may have some cancer preventing effects, due largely to it’s high level of polyphenols such as Resveratrol and other flavonoids.
|
