By Kent Eichenauer, PsyD, FAACVPR

It’s easy to think of wine as magic, as it is practically a living thing that seems to constantly and subtly evolve. The same could be said about relationships, since love is pretty magical, too. It makes sense, then, that on Valentine’s Day, so many celebrations of love involve wine.

But there are also everyday reasons to share a glass or two of wine with your Valentine, especially if you want to protect their heart – not just theoretically but literally! Science has given us a peek into some of the mysteries of wine, including how it affects health. There are many plant-based chemicals in wine since it is made from grapes. The one that has received the most attention is resveratrol, which is also present in blueberries, cranberries, almonds, pistachios and even dark chocolate.

Romance and Resveratrol

Resveratrol as a supplement has been found to reduce systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients as well as to lower blood glucose in diabetic patients.¹ However, red wine especially has been linked to improvements in antioxidant status, thrombosis and inflammatory markers, and lipid profile.²

Particularly, red wine is mentioned because there are differences in how a red wine and a white wine are made. Each wine starts with the crushing of the grapes – kind of like the “I Love Lucy” episode with her foot stomping…but not really. Grapes actually are crushed by machines, so that the pulp is exposed. In a white wine, these grapes are then pressed, or squeezed, to make the grape juice. Yeast is then added to start the fermentation process, where the yeast eats up the sugar in the sweet juice and turns it into alcohol…yeah, magic! A red wine is made a little differently, with yeast added to the crushed grapes. But in this case, fermentation with the resulting ethanol takes place on the grape skins, which allows the developing wine to absorb the color and flavor from the skins. This is also where chemicals like resveratrol come from. Since red wine has this extra time for grape skins to transfer these chemicals, there is 3-4 times more resveratrol in a red wine.

(Pictured: Kent Eichenauer and wife Connie, owners of Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar)

It is worth noting that the World Health Organization made a declaration a year ago that any amount of ethanol is harmful based on indications of links to cancer.³ Unsurprisingly, this conclusion is not without controversy. One example of debate that can surround recommendations and alcohol consumption can be found in an editorial in the Lancet medical journal.⁴

As with all science, the pros and cons of wine consumption will become clearer over time. However, a couple of observations are worth noting. First, as we know, the Mediterranean diet has been found to have numerous health benefits. When it was first being explored, red wine was generally mentioned as a part of the regular diet of the French. What was infrequently mentioned was how wine can contribute to the ambience of the meal. In our American lifestyle, we are often eating in a rush. The busyness of our lives doesn’t always allow us the pleasure of an unhurried meal with those we love. Wine is an exception – we just don’t drink wine in a hurry. If we are drinking wine with a meal, we are probably also enjoying the company and lingering conversation with others for whom we feel affection. Our relationships can be one of the most cardioprotective elements in our lifestyles, and wine pairs well with these relationships.

And, for good measure, remember the foods mentioned that also contain resveratrol? Blueberries, cranberries, pistachios, almonds, dark chocolate? Well, these can also be part of a great charcuterie board that accompanies a great wine, that can be shared in a great relationship, that can set a romantic mood and that, well…enough said.

There is the same caveat here, however, that applies almost universally across our lives. We can always get too much of a good thing. So, everything in moderation, including wine. But, in general, a glass of good red wine on Valentine’s Day appears to benefit the heart in a couple of ways. Physically, it can help reduce blood pressure, lipids, inflammation, blood sugar and coagulation; but it can also warm your heart with the one you love.

REFERENCES:

1. Breuss, J, Atanasov, A,Uhrin, P (2019),  Resveratrol and its effects on the vascular system. International Journal of Molecular Science, 20(7), 1523. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/7/1523
2. Lombardo, M, Feraco, A, et.al (2023), Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate. Nutrients, 15 (8), 1921. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/8/1921
3. No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (2022) Jan 4.  World Health Organization Newsletter-Europe.   https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
4. (2023), Alcohol and Health: All, none, or somewhere in-between. The Lancet Rheumatology, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00073-5

Kent Eichenauer, PsyD, FAACVPR, is a psychologist who has been working as a consultant with cardiopulmonary rehab programs for 30 years. He currently consults with Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Mt. Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio. In 2019, he and his wife opened Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar, and he is now also a winemaker.