THE WAVE ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE 15: THE YEAR END ISSUE | Page 8

Positive aspects of Red Wine
Reducing coronary heart diseases: the wine is altering the blood lipid levels. It lowers the total cholesterol count, and raises the high density
lipoprotein (HDL) levels. This is supported by epidemiological studies: the polyphenols may be involved in this cardioprotective effect because
of their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, resulting in decreased generation of oxidized lipids. The tested red wine extracts
(cabernet-sauvignon grape variety) elicited enhanced NO generation, cyclic GMP accumulation and endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat
aortic rings. Both anthocyanins and oligomeric condensed tannins appeared to be involved. Among the anthocyanins, delphinidin, but not
malvidin or cyanidin, produced endothelial NO-dependent vasorelaxation (aka: it smooths the muscles of the blood vessels), indicating that only
some specific structures are able to cause endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, independently of their antioxidant properties. To achieve this
effect, extracellular Ca2+ (=calcium ion) is needed for activation (of endothelial NO synthase activation). Summarizing: their findings suggest
that one of the mechanisms of the cardioprotective effects of red wine and other plants containing polyphenols may be the increase in endothelial
NO production induced by oligomeric condensed tannins and anthocyanins.
Red wine maintains the immune system: According to a study published by the University of Florida, red wine does not suppress the immune
system like other alcoholic beverages. A two month study on mice has been performed to examine what immune system reactions red wine
caused on mammals. The team examined mice of various drinking levels - non-drinkers, red wine drinkers, and heavy alcohol drinkers. They
found that those who drank the red wine had a normal level of immunity, the same as that of the non-drinking mice. (The level of red wine
consumption for the mice would equal that of a human drinking two or three glasses a night. But at the moment of writing (2001) they don't have
a clue which compounds in red wine is causing this, but I'd go for the tannins.
Polyphenols in wine: like the tannin mentioned above, do have a positive effect on your body as well: they are excellent antioxidants. In short:
they lower total cholesterol and blood pressure, lessen risks of cancer, stimulate the immune system, and have anti-bacterial properties. See the
above mentioned aspects for more detail.
Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene): is a naturally occurring antioxidant too that decreases the stickiness of blood platelets and helps
blood vessels remain open and flexible. It is said that it inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response.
A series of laboratory experiments suggests the proof of this statement. However, this was only tested on animals. In another set of animal tests,
resveratrol was shown to inhibit both the acute and chronic phases of inflammation (yet again the immune system). Wine is the primary dietary
source of resveratrol, and red wine contains much greater amounts of resveratrol than does white wine, since resveratrol is concentrated in the )