Epidemiological studies have repeatedly demonstrated that moderate alcohol intake (including red wine) has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease. In addition to the favourable biological effects of alcohol on the lipid profile (increase in HDL), on hemostasis factors (e.g. increase in eNOS activity, decrease in endothelin-1-bioactivity), inflammatory pathways (NFkB, cytokines, chemokines) and in reducing insulin resistance, the phenolic compounds in red wine appear to interfere with the molecular processes underlying the initiation, progression, and rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque.
Alan Crozier (Glasgow, GB) summarised the protective effects of moderate red wine consumption against cardiovascular diseases and discussed it in the context of the phenolic compounds in red wine that may be responsible for these effects. In particular, the fate and potential bioactivity of anthocyanins, resveratrol, catechin monomers and procyanidins was mentioned.
Protásio da Luz (Sao Paulo, Brazil) showed his results from animal studies demonstrating that moderate wine consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular events and plaque progression. Moreover, red wine and purple grape juice significantly improved flow mediated dilation without affecting endothelial independent dilation. Finally, flow-mediated dilation improved in hypercholesterolemic (but not hypertensive) patients after red wine ingestion over 15 days.