A small, short-term study is heavily suggesting that red wine may be good for the hearts of people with Type 2 diabetes. This is due thanks to resveratrol, an antioxidant and natural compound found in red wine and in red grape skins.

For the study, the researchers enlisted the aid of 57 people with Type 2 diabetes. At the start of the study, they measured the stiffness of the participants’ aortas, the body’s main artery. The patients were then given a daily 100 mg dose of resveratrol for two weeks. This dosage was then increased up to 300 mg of resveratrol a day for another two weeks. After this period, the participants were given a polyphenol-free placebo for four weeks.

The patients’ blood vessels were also tested on their ability to relax and expand as needed, which was noted by the researchers as an indicator of good blood vessel function.

The researchers found that treatment with resveratrol reduced aortic stiffness. However, this reduction was not statistically significant. The 100 mg dosage reduced aortic stiffness by 4.8 percent, while the 300 mg dose reduced it by 9.1 percent and the placebo increased arterial stiffness.

This study, according to author Naomi Hamburg, shows that certain interventions may be able to reverse blood vessel abnormalities that come about due to age and are more likely to appear in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Hamburg further stated that the effect of resveratrol “may be more about improving structural changes in the aorta and less about the relaxation of blood vessels, and people with more normal aortic stiffness may not get as much benefit.”

Antioxidants in red wine found to be very beneficial

There is a lot of debate surrounding whether or not red wine is good for you or not. While people should definitely not overindulge in their desire for red wine, there is a lot of evidence to support its health benefits.

For example, resveratrol isn’t the only beneficial compound present in red wine. It also contains a lot of other antioxidants, such as proanthocyanidins, epicathechin and catechin.

All of these antioxidants can reduce the oxidative stress on the body, which can reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.

Several studies have even shown that drinking small to moderate amounts of red wine regularly put people at a lower risk of developing heart disease. The red wine can do this by helping the body retain HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).

Furthermore, consumption of red wine has also been linked to reducing the risk of stroke in middle-aged men.

However, it should be noted that these health benefits only hold true for people who are drink in moderation.

Other health benefits of consuming red wine

While the above properties are some of the most well known health benefits of red wine, the consumption of red wine has also been linked to:

• Better mood — Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of red wine while can improve mood, especially for people who are in “unpleasant environments.”
• Weight loss — While a five-ounce glass of red wine has between 120 to 150 calories, research has found that moderate alcohol drinkers are also less likely to be obese.
• Support cognitive functioning — Regular alcohol drinkers have a lower risk of cognitive decline and developing a neurodegenerative disorder like Alzheimer’s disease. The flavonols in wine can keep blood vessels healthy, which in turn maintains healthy blood flow to the brain.
• Improve longevity — Long-term population studies have found links between moderate red wine consumption and longer lifespans. Furthermore, moderate alcohol drinkers have been found to have other healthy behaviors that can extend their life, such as having healthier diets and exercising more regularly.

There is a lot more research behind the effects of resveratrol on the human body. Learn more about it at FoodScience.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Healthline.com

GoodHousekeeping.com