Alcohol, Omega-3 Fats, and Heart Health

Red wine and grapes contain polyphenols called procyanidins that act as powerful antioxidants and have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Procyanidins are also found in berries like bilberry and blueberry and are also found in pine bark, has been associated in research with possible benefits for diabetic health. Chronic inflammation is also believed to contribute to eye diseases like AMD, dry eye and glaucoma conditions in which procyanidins may merit further study.

Omega 3 Fish Oil

The heart benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet high in fish, fresh produce and red wine, have been well documented. A new study, part of the European IMMIDIET project, has shed new light on one of red wine’'s positive cardiovascular benefits.

High dietary and plasma concentrations of the marine fatty acids EPA and DHA are known to be protective against coronary heart disease (CHD) and sudden cardiac death. Alcohol, too, lowers the risk of ischemic stroke and CHD via a number of proposed pathways: increasing HDL, decreasing platelet aggregation and coagulation factors and exerting beneficial effects on endothelial function and inflammation.

Evidence also suggests that alcohol influences fatty acid metabolism. Low alcohol intake appears to increase long-chain fatty acid concentrations, while high alcohol decreases their concentration. Alcohol-induced increases in marine fatty acids might be a unique cardio-protective mechanism of alcohol.

The study findings suggest that components in wine other than alcohol may be responsible for the higher omega-3 concentrations observed. The study authors propose that the polyphenol antioxidant components of wine may stimulate the synthesis of EPA and DHA from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid. Polyphenols may also be involved in that process by preventing alcohol-induced oxidation of long chain fatty acids, thus delaying their breakdown.

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