Red Wine, CoQ10 & Heart Health

There is still much debate about whether daily consumption of red wine is beneficial to physical health. Many scientific studies have linked the intake of red wine to a decreased chance of developing certain conditions – such as cardiovascular disease. An interesting paradox – known as the French Paradox, has baffled health scientists for a while. Scientists often wondered why French people seem to have a low rate of cardiovascular disease, despite the large amounts of fat they consume. It has been suggested that because they also drink fair amounts of red wine, their hearts are protected.  On the other hand, red wine is an alcoholic beverage, and with that, it carries some detrimental health effects. The answer to this debate lies in closely examining and comparing the effects of various substances present in red wine.

Diet is very important when it comes to our health. CoQ10 is a key enzyme for boosting heart health and health in general. Taking a quality CoQ10 supplement, alongside a healthy diet and the occasional glass of red wine could add years to your life. Read on for more information regarding these key elements for longevity and good health.

Components of red wine

Red wine is made from crushed and fermented dark grapes. These grapes contain many antioxidant substances such as resveratrol and proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants remove free oxygen radicals from the cellular environment in the body, where the are produced by regular cell metabolism. Excessive amounts of these free oxygen radicals can damage cell membranes, proteins and even DNA. This damage can then lead to inflammation, blood clotting, tissue aging, cancer and heart disease. However, the amount of resveratrol in one bottle of red wine is quite low.  Red wine also contains around 12 to 15% alcohol. Alcohol can have either good or bad effect on the body, depending on the amount that is consumed.

Beneficial effects of red wine

Based on its antioxidant properties, many studies have been conducted to determine the health effects of red wine. One study found that moderate consumption of red wine leads to a decreased risk of stroke in men. Another study found that alcohol-free red wine decreased blood pressure. A different study compared the risk of heart disease amongst different kinds of alcohol consumers and found that those who consumed red wine had much lower risk than beer or spirit drinkers. Moreover, a variety of studies associated the moderate consumption of red wine with reduced risk of cancer, depression and insulin resistance.

Negative effects of red wine

Alcohol is not often used for therapeutic reasons because the amount which is clinically useful is very close to the amount that causes toxic effects. Alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of depression and to cause liver cirrhosis. It is also possible to develop an alcohol dependence when alcohol is regularly consumed.

Red wine specifically also contains a large number of calories – double the amount than in beer or sugary soda. Excessive daily consumption of red wine could, therefore, lead to weight gain.

Conclusion

Just like any substance, too much red wine can outweigh the benefits that it provides. Many experts conclude that there is no major health reason to begin drinking red wine daily, as the antioxidants it contains are available in other foods and in supplements. However, if you enjoy drinking it, red wine can have long-term health benefits. The key to obtaining these benefits is to moderate your intake. 1-2 glasses a day is ideal for men and 1-1,5 glasses a day for women.