Worldwide, medical research and clinical trails strongly indicate moderate wine consumption is beneficial to the arteries. In general, due to a greater polyphenol content red wine affords higher cardio vascular protection than white wine.
Moderate red wine . . . increases HDL cholesterol concentrations and suppresses arterial inflammation. HDL cholesterol is cardio protective because is removes fatty deposits from the artery and provides antioxidant protection to the fats that remain within the artery. When fatty build-up within the artery becomes oxidized (polluted) arteries tend to become inflamed, irritated and injured. Oxidized fats, especially LDL cholesterol stimulate this troublesome type of cellular buildup.
There are a wide variety of cells that create inflammatory build-up within the artery. Each inflammatory mediator has a name and specific behavior such as intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule, E selectin, CD40L and much more.
The study noted below investigated whether the low-dose intake of white or red wine would have a different effect on inflammatory markers in women. To be concise, red wine hushed/blocked inflammation better than white wine. Study details are noted below.
In this crossover study, thirty-five healthy women we randomly assigned to two four week periods of white or red wine 20 g each day; preceded by two four week washout periods. Before and after the interventions blood levels of fats, inflammatory biomarkers, cellular adhesion molecules, and the adhesion of monocytes (a type of white blood cell) to stimulated endothelial cells were measured. Endothelial cells form a thin protective lining within the artery.
Study results: HDL cholesterol increased, and the serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, CD40L, and interleukin-6 decreased after either wine. Vascular cell adhesion molecule one and E-selectin decreased only after red wine. E-selectin is a cell adhesion molecule expressed only on endothelial cells and is activated by cytokines (inflammatory mediators).
Cellular adhesion molecule expression by mononuclear cells was blunted after either wine. However, red wine produced a greater suppressant effect.
Enhanced adhesion of monocytes to stimulated endothelial cells was reduced by 51% after white wine and by 89% after red wine. Red wine had a significantly greater effect on suppressing the cellular activity that contributes to arterial inflammation.
This study specifically indicates that moderate wine consumption, especially red wine is associated with reduced inflammatory pathways related to endothelial activation in women. Four, four ounce glasses of red wine per week provide this anti-inflammatory protective arterial benefits. This website provides additional information about clinical study outcomes that have investigated the effects of red wine on arterial health.
Source:
Down-regulation of adhesion molecules and other inflammatory biomarkers
after moderate wine consumption in healthy women: a randomized trial.
Emilio Sacanella, Mònica Vázquez-Agell, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 2007 Vol. 86, No. 5, 1463-1469
New Markers of Inflammation and Endothelial Cell Activation
Paul E. Szmitko, BSc Chao-Hung Wang MD University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Circulation 2003; 108: 1917-1923
