Seeing as today is Valentine’s Day, it’s safe to say our focus is on our hearts and the hearts of the one we love. In order to celebrate this holiday dedicated to expressing your love, some of you may be heading out for a nice romantic dinner at your favorite restaurant.
The antioxidants found in your favorite red wine can give you a heart-healthy boost when drank in moderation.
Perhaps you will order some wine to accompany your intimate dinner. When given a chance to choose a wine, go for a red wine for one simple reason: while you’re drinking your favorite merlot or cabernet sauvignon, you are also doing your heart and the rest of your body a huge favor. Here’s how.
Free radicals are groups of atoms in the body that cause damage to DNA or cell membranes through a series of chain reactions. This damage can result in cancer or a variety of other medical conditions. When these atoms are present in the arteries at the same time as “bad” cholesterol, the reaction between them damages the walls of the arteries and heart.
Our bodies do have a defense mechanism for this: antioxidants. However, there are times when our body needs more antioxidants than it can produce. This is where red wine comes in.
Red wine contains vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene, all of which are antioxidants. When they are ingested and absorbed into the body, they help stop the domino effect of damage caused by free radicals.
While we would like to encourage you to pursue the health benefits of red wine, we are also recommending moderation; two to three small glasses per week is an adequate amount to reap the benefits. Hammer Medical hopes that you always seek a heart-healthy lifestyle, and there’s no better time than on Valentine ’s Day with a glass of your favorite red wine!
Tags: American Heart Month, antioxidants, beta-carotene, red wine, Valentine's Day, vitamin C, vitamin E