Int J Angiol 2009; 18(3): 111-117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278336
Review Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Polyphenols are medicine: Is it time to prescribe red wine for our patients?

Alfredo C. Cordova1 , Bauer E. Sumpio2
  • 1Division of Surgery, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts
  • 2Department of Vascular Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 April 2011 (online)

Abstract

Alcohol, specifically red wine, has been suggested to play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic pathologies, including cancer. Its regular and moderate consumption has been found in numerous epidemiological studies to correlate inversely with vascular disease and mortality, despite the presence of risk factors such as high consumption of saturated fats, elevated smoking and low physical activity. This phenomenon, known as the ‘French Paradox’, would be explained mainly by the high levels of polyphenols present in red wine, making it more advantageous than beer, spirits and even white wine. The habit of having one or two drinks of red wine every day with meals may translate to a longer, healthier and better quality of life.