It always makes us feel that little bit better when enjoying a glass of red wine. It has been proven to lower the risk of heart attack, raise your HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), prevent blood clots and reduce blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Recent research even suggests that it protects against lung cancer, and protects men against prostate cancer.

So what’s the secret? Red wine is a particularly rich source of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics. Flavonoids exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and also helps prevent blood clotting. OK, so if you’re still following, these things are good for your health.

It only gets more interesting when you hear that white wine is as cardioprotective as red wine. Polyphenolic antioxidants reside in the skin and seeds, so red wines will extract these properties easily because of contact with the skins during production. However, the flesh, or the pulp, of the grape is said to provide the same benefits, according to research done by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 2006.

Indeed, studies have shown that people from the Mediterranean who regularly drink red wine have a lower risk of heart disease. Here’s another point. Ever wonder how Ireland has one of the highest cases of heart disease in Europe, while France has one of the lowest, despite a similarly high fat diet? Could it be something to do with wine?

The problem is, too many of us like to binge on alcohol. If we consume wine in moderation, say, a glass a day with our evening meal, all the research in the world would indicate that you’ll be doing your health a favour. We just need to ensure that it doesn’t turn into an unhealthy habit by consuming too much - easier said than done I hear you say.

The Harvard Men’s Health Watch notes that men who enjoy alcohol and can drink in moderation and responsibly may benefit from a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cardiac death.

Originally posted by the same author on Look and Taste.