Scientific facts about the benefits of red wine for heart and vascular health

Disputes about the benefits and harms of alcohol for human health have been conducted between scientists and doctors for decades.

In many countries of the world, research is actively conducted on wine and its effect on the heart and blood vessels.

The French serve as an example of the positive effect of alcohol on the human body. French citizens who drink at least one glass of red wine daily have the lowest rate of cardiovascular diseases.

This phenomenon has been called the "French paradox" and has repeatedly become the subject of scientific research .

Which wine has the most positive effect?

Drinking red wine is considered one of the non-traditional ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The French, who have the fattest diet in Europe, do not like to exercise and are heavy smokers, live much longer than the rest of the peoples inhabiting the continent. Scientists believe that this is due to the regular consumption of wine.

As a therapeutic and prophylactic agent, this drink has been used for a long time in his medical practice by English cardiologist William McCree. He recommends drinking Cabernet to his patients with cardiovascular diseases. According to research data , drinking this drink in limited quantities reduces the risk of heart attacks by 2 times.

Despite the large number of types and varieties of wines, dry red wine is used for the treatment and prevention of heart and vascular diseases. The composition of dark grape varieties is rich in polyphenolic compounds . They stop inflammatory processes in the human body and prevent the development of tumors.

In red wine made from dark grapes contains a large amount of resveratrol, antioxidants and proanthocyanides ( source ). It is believed that these substances prevent the formation of blood clots.

Taking dry red wine 2-3 times a week for 200-300 ml improves vascular elasticity.

In the course of research scientists have identified a relationship between drink consumption and coronary heart disease. Drinking red wine contributes to:

  • Normalization of blood pressure;
  • Slowing down the aging process;
  • Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood;
  • Blood thinning;
  • Reducing the risk of closure of the artery lumen;

In the course of a number of studies, scientists have found that dry red wine reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease ( source ). The composition of the drink contains a small amount of sugar and a large amount of fruit acids. Thanks to them, blood pressure decreases.

Potential harm

Any kind of wine has the ability to dilate blood vessels even in small quantities. This increases a person's heartbeat and coronary blood flow. Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to:

  • Cardiac arrhythmia. (As a result of a violation of the rhythm of contraction of the upper chambers of the heart, blood stagnation forms in the left atrium. This causes a blood clot to form in his cavity and leads to an ischemic stroke).
  • Weakening of the heart muscle. (Leads to cardiomyopathy, which results in heart failure).
  • Raising HELL. (It causes the walls of the arteries to thicken. This increases the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction).
It is strictly forbidden for people with asthma to drink strong drinks.

Daily allowance

The standard measure of drinking strong drinks is 14 ml of pure alcohol. Doctors do not recommend using more than 1 such dose per day for women, and more than 2 for men. The alcohol content in alcohol depends on its strength.

Do not think that if wine is the safest and most harmless drink for the heart, then it can be drunk in bottles. For wine The daily intake is limited to 300 milliliters. This dose is divided into 2-3 doses. Drinking 150 milliliters of wine before going to bed helps to cope with insomnia. A glass of drink at lunch helps to absorb the iron contained in food.

Important! When using dry red wine for heart treatment, it is necessary to use only vintage varieties. They do not contain fusel oils harmful to the body. The best brands of wine don't have to be very expensive.

How many other alcoholic beverages can I drink?

To prevent heart disease, you can drink various alcoholic beverages, but in limited quantities. For therapeutic purposes, it is allowed to drink 1 glass of beer 2-3 times a week. Cognac, vodka and other alcoholic beverages with a strength above 40 degrees are allowed to drink no more than 30 ml per day. All drinks must be of high quality.

What else should be included in the diet of the cores?

Nutritionists claim that the right composition of the diet can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 80%. To do this, the menu includes a number of products that have the ability to improve vascular elasticity, strengthen the heart muscle and have other positive effects on the human body.

Fruits

In the diet Fruits are included to strengthen the heart muscle . The vitamins, minerals and fiber contained in them help a person to avoid serious problems with blood vessels. Of particular value are 4 types of fruits:

  • Pomegranate &8212; stimulates the blood circulation process, ensures the elasticity of the vessel walls.
  • Bananas &8212; are included in the menu for anemia.
  • Lemon &8212; they are eaten for arrhythmia, heart failure, tachycardia and ischemic disease.
  • Persimmon &8212; the magnesium contained in this fruit helps to expand the walls of blood vessels. Persimmon relieves tension of the heart muscle.
Vitamins B, A and C contained in fruits are of particular importance for the cardiovascular system.

Vegetables

Scientists have proven that beta-carotene contained in vegetables prolongs human life. Their daily use reduces the risk of heart attack. Among them the most heart-healthy vegetables :

  • Onion. Has an effect on the proper contraction of the heart muscle, dilates blood vessels, cleanses them of cholesterol, lowers blood pressure.
  • Peppers. The diet includes sweet and bitter varieties. The antioxidants contained in them stimulate the work of all internal organs. Peppers cleanse the body of cholesterol.
  • Tomatoes. It is recommended to include in the menu for angina pectoris, hypertension, atherosclerosis, varicose veins and coronary heart disease.
  • Pumpkin. Normalizes blood circulation, cleanses the body of cholesterol and balances the water-salt balance.
  • Garlic. Contains in its composition more than 70 substances necessary for the heart. They stimulate blood flow and lower blood pressure, relax the walls of blood vessels and normalize blood circulation. Garlic is recommended for arrhythmia.

You can eat vegetables in any form. Vegetable juices are very useful for the body.

Berries

Fresh berries are extremely beneficial for the cardiovascular system , they fill the human body with vitamins. They play a huge role in boosting immunity. Especially useful:

  • Hawthorn &8212; slows down the process of destruction of the heart muscle, relieves heart attacks, improves the supply of oxygen to the body.
  • Cranberries &8212; the berry has an effect on the whole body. It boosts the immune system, stimulates blood circulation, cleanses blood vessels and strengthens the heart muscle.
  • Viburnum &8212; Berry is recommended for arrhythmias, nervous disorders and insomnia.
  • Grapes &8212; thanks to this berry, it is possible to solve problems with hypertension and heart failure.

Viburnum and cranberries are perfectly preserved fresh for a long time. Fresh grapes are on sale all year round.

Nuts

The value of nuts is in the protein and saturated fats contained in their composition. They help to cleanse the blood of cholesterol. Walnuts and almonds are especially useful for the body. They contain Omega-3 lipids. Folic acid and resveratrol, essential for heart health, are found in peanuts.

10 of the most useful nuts for the heart can be found here.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruits retain a large amount of useful substances in their composition. To enhance their effect on blood vessels, it is better to use a mix of dried fruits consisting of dried apricots , raisins and prunes. Figs and dates are important for the heart.

Also for the treatment of the heart , a medicinal remedy from dried fruits is prepared , walnuts and natural honey. One of the most effective means is Amosov paste .

Dairy products

The most a valuable dairy product for the heart is cow's milk. It contains the lowest percentage of fat. It is recommended to eat only skimmed milk. The risk of heart disease and the development of atherosclerosis is reduced due to the potassium contained in milk. Milk is recommended for angina pectoris and hypertension.

Important! In case of vascular calcification, milk can be included in the diet only with the permission of a doctor.

Dairy products important for the cardiovascular system include: koumiss, sheep's cheese, kefir, cottage cheese, yoghurts and butter.

Fish

The value of fish is in the polyunsaturated fatty acids it contains. Mackerel, sardines and herring contain up to 30% fatty acids. They normalize metabolism and purify the blood from triglycerides. Regular consumption of fish in an amount of at least 100 grams per day reduces the risk of stroke.

Learn more about the effect of fish on the cardiovascular system.

Bitter chocolate

The use of bitter chocolate increases epicatechin in blood plasma. This substance has an effect on blood vessels and lymph nodes. Thanks to bitter chocolate, the development of atherosclerosis stops. It is proved that black shocklade has a beneficial effect on the heart .

Turmeric

The spice has antibacterial properties. The plant is used to treat cardiotoxicity and other heart pathologies. Adding turmeric to food reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, protects against hypertension and toxic poisoning. Also turmeric improves the elasticity of vascular walls .

Linseed and olive oil

It is best to use a mixture of oils to treat the heart. It contains substances that prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and blood clots. Oils normalize blood pressure. It is useful to include them in the diet of people who have had a heart attack, suffer from atherosclerosis, anemia and angina pectoris.

Soft drinks

The most important drink for the heart is pure water. Lack of fluid in the human body is the cause of coronary heart disease. You need to consume at least 2-2.5 liters of liquid per day. Heart-healthy drinks include:

  • Juices (grape, pomegranate, tomato, cranberry);
  • Green tea;
  • Soy milk;
  • Natural coffee.

When including these drinks in the diet, it is necessary to take into account their contraindications and the allowed consumption rate. For example, it is not recommended to drink more than 2 cups of coffee per day.

Interesting video

Finally, watch the video on the topic:

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