(Mayo Clinic) — Red wine, in limited amounts, has long been thought of as healthy for the heart. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.
Links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren’t well understood. But antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also called the “good” cholesterol, and protect against cholesterol buildup.
Experts say not to start drinking alcohol to help your heart. This is especially true if you have alcohol use disorder or if alcohol use disorder is in your family. Too much alcohol can harm the body in many ways.
But if you already have a glass of red wine with your evening meal, drinking it in limited amounts may improve your heart health. (…)