Red Wine
Uncork the heart-friendly properties of a glass of wine
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Health benefits may not be top of mind when you’re sipping red wine, but studies show that a daily glass reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, ulcers, and some cancers. Wine contains protective polyphenols that reduce endothelin-1, a substance that clogs and stiffens arteries. Healthy arteries reduce the risk of stroke; studies have found that even very moderate drinking — as little as a glass of wine a week — lowered the risk of most common strokes by around 20 percent. Additionally, resveratrol, an antioxidant present in the skins of red grapes, helps prevent cancer cells from getting a key protein required for their growth. Drinking wine in moderation also helps ward off Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
Choose It & Use It While all wines have polyphenols, the resveratrol in red wine makes it most worthy of a pour. Let your personal preferences guide you when choosing among Merlot, Chianti, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and more. A standard serving size is 4 ounces. When selecting wine for cooking, don’t spend more than $8 for a bottle — save pricier vintages for the table.