The Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

Find Out How Procyanidins in Wine May Promote Longevity

Apr 27, 2009

The good health of the French results from procyanidin in red wine rather than resveratrol. Red Wines low in sugar and alcohol from Southwest France are the best source.

Because of the so called French Paradox scientists have investigated the health benefits of resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, which is found in grapes, red wine, peanuts and dark chocolate. The French mortality rate due to coronary heart disease (CHD) is much lower than in the US despite comparable consumption of fats. The scientists looked at the dietary differences between the two groups and theorized that consumption of red wine and the so-called Mediterranean diet may be contributing factors.

The scientists learned that red wine provides resveratrol, a compound that behaves similar to the Calorie Restriction Diet (CR) making the Mediterranean diet one that could prevent weight gain and promote longevity in animals. The levels of resveratrol in red wine range from 1.98 to 7.13 mg/L. These levels are far lower than the levels used in the animal tests.

Further investigation revealed that procyanidins in the red wine were much more abundant than resveratrol. Red wine levels of procyanidins range from 81 to 273 mg/L. Procyanidins are powerful antioxidants. Studies have shown that procyanidins antioxidant capabilities are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.

Variables in Wine Making

Fermentation time affects the nutrient levels extracted from the grape skins. The longer the fermentation time the more nutrients get extracted from the grape skins. Fermentation times can vary from a few days to 30 days. Traditional wineries in Europe tend toward longer fermentation time whereas modern wineries tend toward the shorter fermentation times. Thus, wines from traditional wineries would be most likely to have higher levels of procyanidins.

Time of grape harvest affects the sugar and alcohol content in the wine. The later the harvest the higher will be the sugar and alcohol content in the wine with less procyanidin content. Red wine that is sweet and has higher alcohol content has significantly lower procyanidin content.

In other words, a good vintage wine made using traditional wine-making techniques can contribute to our longevity as is seen in France.

Which Wines Would Be Most Nutritionally Effective

To realize these health benefits one must consume red wine that is less sweet and has a lower alcoholic content. Click here for a list of red wines together with carbohydrate and alcohol nutrient values from the USDA Nutrient Database.

In the above referenced table, note that the red wines: Carignane, Gamay, and Lemberger have low sugar (Carbs) and low Alcohol content. Carignane and Gamay wines are from Southern France and the Lemberger wine is from Austria. Researchers have found that red wines from Southwest France and the area around Sardinia Italy have higher levels of procyanidins than wines from other locations. The Italian wine made from the Gamay grapes and the Beaujolais wines may also meet these criteria. Syrah, AKA Shiraz, from the Rhone valley may be another possibility. Red wines from Southwest France are the ideal wine to choose.

The copyright of the article The Benefits of Drinking Red Wine in French Wine is owned by John Yarlott. Permission to republish The Benefits of Drinking Red Wine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.