Wine Decreases Inflammation In Blood Vessels

Filed in archive Wine News on November 28, 2007

Mark one off in the "wine is good for you again" category. Reuters is reporting that women who drink wine might have less inflammation in their blood vessels than women who do not drink wine:

Spanish researchers found that after four weeks of drinking two glasses of wine per day, women showed lower levels of certain inflammatory substances in their blood. The findings, reported in the American Journal of clinical nutrition, suggest a mechanism by which wine - particularly red wine - may protect the heart.

Numerous studies have found that wine drinkers tend to have lower rates of heart disease than teetotalers do. Research also suggests that higher levels of "good" HDL cholesterol may be one reason, though not a full explanation of the benefit.

Now obviously moderation is key. The study doesn't suggest women go out and down bottle after bottle of red wine. We all know there is no real benefit to that. But to me, this further proves that for an average, healthy woman, a glass of wine with dinner can do more than just add another level of enjoyment to her meal.