Latest scientific news 27 April 2017

Moderate red wine consumption may prevent inflammation and endothelial dysfunction

Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and red wine may have beneficial effects on processes that are involved in atherothrombosis.

A healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish, low in dairy products and with moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and red wine is associated with a better cardiovascular health. Endothelial dysfunctionEndothelial dysfunction is a condition in which the endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels fail... (*) and low-grade inflammation are key factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases and seem to be influenced by diet. The diet of 822 participants was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire and various biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation were analysed in serum samples. The results showed that after adjusting for potential confounders both moderate alcohol and red wine consumption were associated with lower biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and red wine consumption was related to lower biomarkers of low-grade inflammation. Most importantly, these findings were independent of vegetable, fruit, fish and dairy product consumption. The authors conclude that food components of a healthy diet, in particular moderate consumption of red wine may prevent endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation.

(*) Endothelial dysfunctionEndothelial dysfunction is a condition in which the endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels fail... is a condition in which the endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels fails to function normally. It has become apparent that endothelial dysfunction is an important factor in coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.

Van Bussel BCT, Henry RMA, Schalkwijk CG, Dekker JM, Nijpels G, Feskens EJM, Stehouwer CDA, Alcohol and red wine consumption but not fruit, vegetables, fish or dairy products, are associated with less endothelial dysfunction and less low-grade inflammation: the Hoorn Study, Eur J Nutr, 2017, doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1420-4.

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.