Red Wine Could Help Lower Blood Pressure
Want an easy way to boost heart health? An occasional glass of red wine could do the trick, according to a new study by the AHA Journal. Eat This Not That reported that researchers evaluated food intake for 904 adults between the ages of 25 and 82 and analyzed factors including gut bacteria composition and blood pressure levels. And it turns out, people who ate the most flavonoid-rich foods had lower systolic blood pressure than those who ate the least.
These flavonoid compounds are found in all kinds of foods, aside from red wine, including:
- Berries
- Apples
- Pears
- Bell peppers
- Red cabbage
- Black and green tea
- And dark chocolate
But this isn’t an excuse to start drinking a couple bottles of pinot a week. The study finds that just under three glasses of red wine a week is associated with lower blood pressure than non-drinkers. And gut bacteria may help with that effect. Study authors explain that recent studies have found a link between a healthy gut and a strong heart. Another reason to eat more flavonoids? It’s not just your heart that can benefit. Another recent study finds that people who eat a diet high in flavonoids have up to 20% lower risk of cognitive decline as they age because of less inflammation.
Source: Eat This, Not That
