No doubt, most Americans have tilted back a couple of glasses of red wine, priding themselves on the idea that heart-healthy ingredients, like resveratrol, flood each sip.
The compound is revered for its believed ability to protect blood vessels, reduce bad-cholesterol levels in the body, and prevent clots.
But headlines from earlier this month are casting some doubt on that noble idea; report after report explores allegations that University of Connecticut researcher Dr. Dipak Das, known for his extensive work investigating the cardiac boons of resveratrol, may have falsified scientific data in more than 100 instances. The controversy is causing many wine aficionados to scratch their heads.
“I think the important thing to remember is that this is one small piece to a very large puzzle when it comes to heart health. Yes, red wine might hold some benefits, but we definitively know that eating nutritious foods and regular physical activity are powerful,” he said. “As far as decreasing your heart disease risk, I like to use the analogy of cleaning your bedroom: Drinking a glass of red wine might be compared to dusting the nightstand; practicing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet is much more impactful — like vacuuming the floor, making the bed, and everything in between.”
To learn more about the state of “wine science,” we spoke to URMC cardiologist Dr. John Chad Teeters.
Dr. Teeters is the Chief of Cardiology at URMC’s Highland Hospital. To learn more about cardiology care and services available at URMC, click here.
