Wine and Heart Health
Nov 23rd, 2008 by Giselle
Large prospective studies have linked alcohol consumption with lower risk of metabolic syndrome particularly heart disease and type 2 diabetes (also known as mature onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitis). Mechanisms underlying this marvelous protective effect are unclear but it has been suggested that alcohol could raise good blood fats (HDL-cholesterol), thin the blood and reduce blood clotting, thus exhibiting cardioprotective effect.
In 2007, Professor Jennie Brand-Miller et al demonstrated in a simple but elegantly designed experiment to demonstrate the effect of alcohol (from beer, wine and gin) on blood sugar levels after a meal and found some astounding results.
This study found that alcohol has the potent ability to reduce blood sugar response after a meal. Of the 3 alcoholic beverages tested, wine was found to have the greatest blood sugar lowering effect (lowering the glucose score by 37%).
How can we explain this amazing result? Well, it is possible that alcohol may inhibit the production of glucose from our liver. Also, alcohol seems to slightly increase insulin sensitivity resulting in less sugar circulating in the blood. This ability to create a flatter blood sugar response or curbing sugar ‘spikes’ is vital in the prevention of heart disease and the control of symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Hence, moderate intakes of alcoholic beverages particularly – wine (100ml per day), could be an important part of a healthy diet! As Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said, “A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.”
References
1. Brand-Miller J et al. Am J Clin Nutri 2007; 85:1545-51.
2. Brand-Miller j et al. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2007; 9:479-85.
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Hi Giselle, is there any difference between red wine and white whine in this respect? 100ml is not exactly the normal quantity one gets. So is 200ml still ok per day?
What about port? I find that after a big meal, a glass of port sems to really benefit my digestive system. But apart from feel-good, does it make sense from a dietitian’s perspective?
Many thanks!
James
Dear James,
The NHMRC’s Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend a limit of 2 standard drinks for men and one standard drink for women per day, with two alcohol free days per week.
1 standard drink = 100ml of wine
In answer to your question, 200ml per day is okay for you.
In most studies, beneficial effects of wine have been demonstrated in quantities of approximately 100ml of wine per day. These benefits seem to diminish as the amount consumed exceeds 100ml.
Evidence shows that alcohol is a carcinigen. Alcohol also increases cancer risk by contributing to overweight and obesity. That is why it is important to limit the amount consumed.
I believe port would exhibit similar beneficial post prandial glycaemic response as wine. Hence, it is good to have a small glass of port after a big meal.
As for the difference between red and white wine, red wine contains numerous polyphenols in particular the much celebrated resveratrol. Polyphenols are extracted by fermentation of grapes in the making of wine, they are particularly dense in the skin and seeds of grapes. Hence, red wine is better than white as red wine is fermented with skins and seeds. Also, the wine making process involving anaerobic fermentation ensures resveratrol is beautifully preserved by protecting it from oxidative damage. That is why resveratrol is present in much greater concentration in wine than grape juice. An added bonus of resveratrol is its remarkable ability to act on genes called sirtuins, believed to protect healthy cells against aging! What’s more, it can even slow the 3 stages of cancer development: initiation, promotion and progression by blocking the inflammatory effect of NF-kappa B.