What Are Flavonoids?

Flavanoids are natural chemicals found in plants, fruits and vegetables. In terms of wine the flavonoids are found in the skin of the grapes. That is why they are only found in red wine. To make white wine you need to skin the grape.

Flavonoids keep your heart healthy in three important ways:

* They prevent blood clots

* They protect against oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol

* Lower high blood pressure

Through these hearth healthy benefits red wine helps prevent heart disease. In fact, studies have actually shown that one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men lower the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by 30-50 percent.

Are There Flavanoids in Red Wine?

Yes, red wine contains flavonoids, which are a type of polyphenol—natural compounds found in plants that often have antioxidant properties.

In red wine, the main types of flavonoids include:

• Anthocyanins – responsible for the red and purple color of the wine.
• Flavan-3-ols – such as catechins, which are also found in green tea.
• Flavonols – like quercetin, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.

These flavonoids primarily come from the grape skins, seeds, and stems, which are left in contact with the juice during red wine fermentation. That’s why red wine has more flavonoids than white wine.

And Resveratrol

Resveratrol is one of the other benefits of red wine. This substance increases HDL, or good cholesterol, and also exhibits various antioxidant properties that help to prevent blood clots and plaque formation in the arteries.

Resveratrol can also be taken on its own as a dietary supplement. This is especially helpful for people who either don’t drink alcohol, can’t drink for medical reasons, or recovering alcoholics.

Read more about the Benefits of Resveratrol.

But Don’t Drink Too Much

Remember that wine can be a double edged sword, so moderate your drinking. Too much red wine, because of the alcohol content can put you at higher risk for conditions like:

* Alcoholism

* High blood pressure

* High cholesterol

* Stroke

* Obesity

* Cardiac arrhythmia

* Sudden cardiac death

Also be sure to check with your doctor to make sure that drinking alcohol is okay if you are on any prescription medication. Combining alcohol, even small amounts in come cases, with prescription drugs can cause harmful side effects.

Health always encompasses many things. Never think that one type of drink, such as wine, or one type of supplement, or one kind of food is going to make you healthy on its own. It takes a combination of things and a consistent commitment to your health and well-being.

So if you want to reap the benefits of red wine then you should also be eating a healthy, well-balanced diet of raw organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of pure water, and getting a lot of regular exercise. Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!