A glass of red wine a day keeps heart disease at bay, says nutritionist

Excessive intake of wine remains an unhealthy habit.

A nutritionist at Asokoro General Hospital, Ngozi Eze, has advised that moderate and regular intake of red wine, at least a glass every day, can prevent heart disease.

Mr. Eze who said on Sunday in Abuja that such practice had a lower risk for heart attack, however cautioned that people should not form the habit of drinking excessive wine, as it might cause severe health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity and liver damage.

The nutritionist said moderate consumers of wine had lower levels of protein fibrinogen, adding that the protein fibrinogen promoted blood clot formation, while red wine produced anti-clotting or anti-thrombotic action.

She said a certain substance in red wine called antioxidants may help to prevent heart disease by increasing levels of “good” cholesterol and protection against artery damage, adding that the antioxidants in red wine called polyphenol could help to protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart.

“A polyphenol called resveratrol is found in red wine,” she said. “Excessive consumption of wine might cause severe health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity and liver damage. Resveratrol might be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces “bad” cholesterol and prevents blood clots.”

A recent study from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, suggested that “resveratrol” also had the potential to protect against hearing loss and cognitive decline.

She said an active ingredient, ‘resveratrol’ found in red grapes and red wine not only protects the heart, but it also has the potential to protect against hearing loss and cognitive decline.

The report states that “our latest study focuses on resveratrol and its effect on the body’s response to injury. Something that is believed to be the cause of many health problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, ageing and hearing loss.”