Cardiovascular System
Throughout the developed world, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and accounts for up to 50% of all deaths. For prevention, the first priority is a healthy lifestyle, which may include moderate wine consumption. Consistently, during the last 40 years, scientific studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of wine/alcoholic beverages, the rate of cardiovascular diseases is considerably lower than with abstinence. The heart attack risk can be lowered by 20%-30%. This relationship is particularly pronounced with increasing prevalence of risk factors, so especially in middle and older age individuals.
- Reduction of atherosclerosis-promoting blood lipids LDL and lipoprotein(a), increase of heartprotecting HDL cholesterol and beneficial APoA-I.
- Reduction of blood clotting tendency and better dissolution of blood clots.
- Promotion of anti-inflammatory processes (protection of vascular wall function) - primarily through phenolic ingredients.
- Improvement of insulin sensitivity, i.e., lower risk of diabetes.
However, despite equal drinking quantities per week, the effect on health can be quite different with different drinking patterns: Moderate and regular consumption protects the heart and blood vessels and thus, reduces mortality from cardiovascular diseases, if it is consumed – as is common in Mediterranean countries – with meals, evenly distributed over the week. Excessive drinking on weekends, on the other hand, is harmful.