Study Reveals Drinking Red Wine Helps Lowering Blood Pressure

Illustration of red wine. (Unsplash/Kelsey Knight)

JAKARTA - Who would have thought, drinking red wine turned out to be good for the health of the body. But, of course, it's not just drinking and doing whatever it wants. Because, instead of having a good impact on health, drinking too much wine is not good for our health.

Quoting the Independent on 24 August, a recent study revealed that a few glasses of red wine a week can actually help us avoid high blood pressure.

Researchers from Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland in collaboration with Germany's University of Kiel, have found a link between low blood pressure and intake of foods rich in flavonoids, including berries, apples, tea, and red wine.

Professor Aedin Cassidy, chair and professor of nutrition and preventive medicine at Queen's Institute for Global Food Safety, was the lead investigator in a study of more than 900 adults in Germany, the results of which have been published in 'Hypertension', the journal of the American Heart Association.

While increasing research suggests flavonoids may improve heart health, the research team says this is the first time the data has shed light on their association with lowering blood pressure.

The researchers said the study focused on the role that microbes play in the gut microbiome by metabolizing the flavonoids, which are found in the aforementioned foods and beverages, which then work to lower blood pressure.

"Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolizing flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects. This study provides evidence showing that this blood pressure-lowering effect can be achieved with simple changes to the daily diet," said Prof Cassidy in a statement from Queen's.

As always, moderation is key. The study found about three glasses of red wine per week was the dose needed to achieve the desired results on blood pressure, while 80 grams of berries a day were also beneficial.