Analyses & Studies
Focus Healthcare: ‘Tis the Season to be Merry – Revisiting the French Paradox
The potential health benefits of moderate red wine consumption intrigue scientists and consumers. We are already a few glasses into this holiday season and more than once, consultations have transgressed into the guilty admission of undoing the good work of the past 11 months with consuming more than what is sensible and moderate wine consumption. So, I thought it timely to revisit the "French Paradox" which purports that French populations, despite consuming diets high in saturated fats, have relatively low rates of heart disease. This phenomenon has been partly attributed to their regular consumption of red wine. This observation has fueled interest in red wine’s cardiovascular health benefits. The reality is that it’s beneficial association with heart health are observational and correlations can be inferred but not causal. For example, in many studies, participants who drink wine may have healthier lifestyles (better diet, exercise, etc) which contribute to the observed benefits.
Oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation is a major contributor to coronary heart disease. Red wine is rich in polyphenols, a group of natural compounds with potent antioxidant properties, in particular, resveratrol and flavonoids. Resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to reduce inflammation, prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and enhance endothelial function. Flavonoids, another subclass of polyphenols, improve vascular health by promoting nitric oxide production, which aids in blood vessel relaxation and reduces blood pressure.
However, the concentration of these compounds in red wine is extremely low and varies widely, depending on the grape variety, production methods and storage conditions which confound the ability to standardize studies and draw conclusions. For instance, with resveratrol, its concentration in a litre of red wine is typically < 5mg but commercial supplements are typically 100-250mg per tablet.
Moderation is Key
Hence, the time honoured recommendation of drinking red wine in moderation remains the standard advice until the science becomes more conclusive. The major guidelines recommend a cautious approach and report that even moderate alcohol intake—defined as consuming more than 5 average wine glasses (150ml / serving of 12% alcohol) per week—may increase the risk of heart complications, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. More excessive and regular alcohol intake is associated with numerous health risks, including liver disease, hypertension, and an increased risk of certain cancers. For the record and for non-red wine drinkers, there is no substantive research on whether other favourite festive cocktails are better or worse off in supporting our health. Happy holidays!
By Dr Rohit Khurana, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre
