Explain the Cardiovascular Effects?
You must have heard of the 'French Paradox'. The lower incidence of heart attacks in certain areas of France despite higher prevalence of factors like smoking and high fat intake was attributed to the red wine consumption in these areas. Subsequently, the 'Zutphen study' in the Netherlands showed an inverse relation between the incidence of CHDI stroke in elderly men with the dietary intake of flavonoids especially quercetin, which originated mainly from tea, fruits and vegetables. Average total daily consumption of flavonoids was at least 23 mg (16 mg quercetinlday) and the average vitamin E intake was 7-10 mg.
Phenols have been found to consistently decrease several risk factors/CVD indicators - plasma LDLc was less susceptible to oxidation, contained lower amount of lipid peroxides. There was lower plaque formation in spontaneously hypertensive rats, consumption of wine polyphenolic extracts improved aortic blood pressure and vessel mechanical properties.