Los Angeles is a city where health trends are as popular and talked about as breaking news. With that being said, one of the most debated topics that continues to entertain people is the relationship between alcohol and heart health. Working as a cardiologist in Westwood, I have come across many patients that are found of cabernet wines and believe that drinking them is good for their heart. However, is this belief based on any scientific evidence, or is it yet another one of the many California health myths that get people’s attention?

The Red Wine Conundrum: Investigating the Relationship Between Drinking Wine and Heart Health

The story of low heart disease rates in French people over the past few decades, in spite of high saturated fat consumption, emerged in the early 1990s. The recent trend of consuming large quantities of red wine may provide the best explanation for this anomaly. This French anomaly, as it came to be known, accompanied for decades of investigation and billions of headlines but the reality is more nuanced than your local Napa Valley winemaker would have you believe.

The Truth About Red Wine According To Science

Let’s first set the record straight. Various constituents available in red wines are appealing to heart scientists. Two of these key compounds are:

• Grape skin extracts contain resveratrol but its concentration in wine is no match for what its concentration is during laboratory studies. Therefore, enormous amounts of wine would have to be consumed to even get close to those levels.
• Both grape juice and berries possess flavonoids, a class of antioxidants which can assist in blood vessel protection by minimizing inflammation.

The Problematic Alcohol Perspective

For my patients in Westwood, who are busy first thing in the morning practicing yoga only to spend their evening at wine tastings while residing in Los Angeles where wine bars are contesting with cold-pressed juiceries, this balance raises important questions regarding alcohol and heart health. Many individuals are unaware of how alcohol fits into the broader picture of heart wellness and working out, but it is vital to comprehend what role alcohol has to play.

More Than Just Red Wine: Alcohol’s Heart-Related Risks

When selecting alcohol, the heart evaluation process is also slightly more complicated than just choosing a type of wine, consider the following scenarios concerning alcohol consumption.

Short-Term Effects

There’s a temporary lift in blood pressure.

A raised pulse rate – an increase in heart beats per minute.

Blood vessels that branch away from the heart widen.

There might be an increase in markers of inflammation.

Long-Term Effects

When done regularly, moderate consistent drinking could:

• Lead to increased levels of good HDL cholesterol.
• Lower the chances of clot formation.
• Interfere with stress hormones.
• Regulate blood sugar.

The Other Side of Alcohol

Moderate drinking might not have harsh side effects, however, any excess use is bound to lead to:

• High blood pressure
• Arrhythmia (most common during so-called holiday heart syndrome)
• Reduced performance of the heart muscle.
• Increased concentrations of triglycerides.
• Weight gain due to consumption of empty calories.

What Does “Moderate” Actually Imply?

To a medical practitioner, moderate alcohol use is defined as:

• For women: Maximum of one a day.
• For men: Maximum of two a day.

But residing in Los Angeles social environment such as inculcating a dinner at Beverly Hills or socializing at Santa Monica beach can lead an individual to believe “moderate” has some flexibility to it.

One form of drinking is classified as following:

• 5 ounces of wine equals to one standard Drink RDA.
• 12 ounces of beer equals to one standard Drink RDA.
• 1.5 ounces of spirits equals to one standard Drink RDA.

The Mediterranean Effect Theories

It is possible that many of the purported heart health benefits attributable to red wine are really due to the Mediterranean lifestyle as a whole.

This includes:

• Vegetables and fruits obtained from our community Los Angeles farmers’ market
• Leisurely walks along the Venice beach
• Close family ties, friends and less stress
• Having a meal that includes a glass of wine

Considerations for Los Angeles Residents

Here are some points that are important: Southern Californian style.

Better drinking tolerance due to the diversified dining options

More risks of dehydration due to hot temperatures

Busy social aspects that may contribute to excess consumption

The need to conform to the health-conscious society by drinking less

The Heart-Friendly Options Available

Rather than just fixating on red wine, try these as alternatives which are good for the heart:

• Red grape juice that has the antioxidant properties
• Berries purchased from farmer’s markets located within or around Los Angeles
• Polyphenols in green tea
• Routine workouts in the Southern Californian sun

When Not to Sip Some Wine

Those people can not take any type of alcohol:

• People suffering from some forms of heart disease
• Those whose family has a problem with alcohol abuse
• Women expecting a baby
• People under certain medication
• Sufferers from liver condition

Conclusion: A Heart Specialist’s Opinion

I’m a cardiologist with my practice in Westwood. I tell my patients that taking a glass of red wine on a daily basis will be unhealthy for them. It is somewhat OK for most people, but there is no reason to use it as a strategy for heart health.

Drinking alcohol for heart benefits is not worth the risk associated with starting it in the first place.

Mobile Heart Health Gameplan

Forget about red wine and other heart-healthy food, and instead practice the following long-term strategies advocated by scientists:

• Take advantage of Los Angeles’ great outdoor environment and engage in regular exercise
• Adopt a diet pattern similar to that of the Mediterranean habit
• Practice yoga or other stress-reducing activities
• Attending regular heart check-ups at our Westwood office
• Establish a normal day and rest pattern conducive to mental functioning

Seeking Professional Assistance?

If you are unsure whether you should control or prevent drinking alcohol because it can make your heart weaker, book a session with us for consultation in our Westwood office. We will consider your risk factors and how we can best serve you with safeguarding your heart through strategies tailored for your requirements.