Lowering the alcohol content of red wine does not alter its cardioprotective properties.
BACKGROUND
Many epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies suggest that chronic and moderate consumption of red wine benefits cardiovascular health, because of the alcoholic content or the polyphenols/flavonoids.


OBJECTIVE
The antioxidant and cardioprotective properties of a French red wine (cabernet sauvignon, 12% alcohol by volume) were compared with those of the same wine subjected to reverse osmosis for partial removal of alcohol (6% alcohol by volume).


METHODS
Antioxidant capacity was assessed in vitro using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. To test the cardioprotective effect of 12% v. 6% wine, the drinking water of rats used for controls was supplemented with red wine (12% or 6%). After 10 days, hearts were isolated on a Langendorff system and subjected to 30 minutes of global ischaemia plus 30 minutes of reperfusion (I/R).


RESULTS
No differences in antioxidant capacity were observed between wine of 12% and 6% alcohol content (n=8 per group). Control hearts subjected to I/R presented a rate pressure product (heart rate x left ventricular developed pressure, expressed as a percentage of baseline value) of 16±4% (mean±standard error). Pretreatment with wine 12% or 6% improved the rate pressure product to 40±6% and 43±6%, respectively (p<0.05 v. control).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the reduction of alcohol content from 12% to 6% in wine did not alter its antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. Moderate and regular consumption of lower alcohol content wines may confer beneficial effects without the risks associated with traditional wines of higher alcohol content.
Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town.
Kim
K
Lamont
Dee
D
Blackhurst
Zulfah
Z
Albertyn
David
D
Marais
Sandrine
S
Lecour
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D014920:Wine
D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D000431:Ethanol