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5 Sublime Heart-Healthy Wines
It seems almost too good to be true that something as wonderful as wine could be healthy. But it’s true. Medical professionals agree that when enjoyed in moderation, there are some red wines that have proven to be “heart healthy.” Let’s see which wines are good for your heart.
While the reasons for this are not entirely clear, researchers believe it can be attributed to the antioxidants in red wine that work to increase levels of “good” cholesterol, which in turn, protect against cholesterol build up.
What’s more, polyphenols (antioxidants) in red wine protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. In particular, resveratrol might provide health benefits by preventing damage to blood vessels, lowering “bad” cholesterol, and reducing blood clots.
Wines You’ll Love That’ll Love You Back
Dry red wines seem to offer the most heart-healthy benefits. That’s because they’re fermented longer, which means they have less surplus sugar. Additionally, wines with high tannins tend to be better for you. Tannins come from grape skins—the thicker the skins, the more tannins and polyphenols are present in the wine.
With those criteria in mind, drinking the following five red wines will provide those heart-healthy benefits you’ve been looking for:
- Pinot Noir. This wine tops the charts as the healthiest. Thin-skinned pinot grapes don’t produce many tannins, but they are high in resveratrol. Pinot grapes grown in cooler climates also tend to contain less sugar.
- Sagrantino. Created from grapes grown in the central Italian region of Umbria, this wine is antioxidant-rich with high levels of tannins.
- Merlot. Merlot grapes are the second most popular in the world. Because they are rich in resveratrol and procyanidin, they work to lower cholesterol and keep the cardiovascular system healthy.
- Cabernet Sauvignon. This full-bodied wine offers cardiovascular benefits in addition to enhancing the health of nervous system cells by stimulating the production of a protein called amyloid precursor.
- Malbec. Malbec contains high levels of tannins and antioxidants, which offer benefits to the cardiovascular and immune systems.
A Good Thing Gets Even Better
If you can believe it, moderate drinkers can derive even more health benefits from red wine. These include:
- Managing blood sugar. The resveratrol found in red wine helps to lower glucose levels.
- Minimizing cancer risk. Studies show drinking red wine regularly and moderately can reduce the risk of contracting certain cancers, such as colon, ovarian, basal cell, and prostate.
- Treating a cold. Antioxidants found in red wine protect cells against the effects of free radicals, which contribute to the common cold.
- Helping with memory. Resveratrol blocks the development of beta-amyloid proteins, which leads to the formation of plaque in the brain.
- Blocking fat cells. A chemical compound derived from resveratrol helps block the growth of immature fat cells, which keeps one’s weight under control.
- Lowering the likelihood of depression. Studies show that regular red wine drinkers who drink in moderation are at a lower risk of depression.
- Protecting against digestive disorders. Red wine’s antibacterial properties aid in treating digestive irritation and disorders.
Now that you know about the many health benefits of red wine, you have even more reason to enjoy that glass of pinot with dinner tonight. Saluti!
Jon Notarius is the Vice President of Premier Gourmet Corp. which operates the store’s online business via WineDeals.com.
