Drink Prosecco And Champagne For Better Heart Health?

This festive season has just gotten a whole lot better… and healthier. So, pop the Champagne and Prosecco corks!

Recent research from the University of Reading found that drinking a small glass of bubbly could potentially lower your blood pressure, increase your blood circulation and reduce your risk of stroke.

Time to celebrate!

In this latest study, the researchers found that Champagne and Prosecco contain polyphenols — powerful antioxidants found in plants — which work their magic on our circulatory system.

If you’re a regular reader of the Daily Health this is not the first time you’ve heard about the potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory antioxidant powers of polyphenols. Earlier this year, I told you about another study which found that hops — the flowers used to make beer — are not only packed with polyphenols but also contain some fibre and antibacterial components called humulones and lupulones, which could help prevent leukaemia by stopping the diseased cells from connecting to bone.

But back to the bubbly study… Commenting on the results, researcher Dr Jeremy Spencer, from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, said: “Our research has shown that drinking around two glasses of Champagne can have beneficial effects on the way blood vessels function, in a similar way to that observed with red wine.”

Red wine of course is packed with the polyphenol powerhouse resveratrol that has been linked to a wide range of health benefits including helping to prevent two of Britain’s biggest killers – heart disease and cancer.

And if you are worried about the sugar content found in Prosecco, then here’s another reason to raise your glass: Skinny Prosecco!

Skinny Prosecco is a low-sugar version of everyone’s favourite fizz. The drink contains around 7g of sugar per litre, around half that of normal prosecco.

It is made from grapes grown in the foothills of the Dolomites, Italy, is 100 per cent organic and contains just 67 calories per glass.

So, by the looks of it you can enjoy your favourite tipple this festive season with the sound assurance that you are doing it for your good health. But as always, be responsible when you consume alcohol. Don’t go guzzling away on bubbly, beer and wine all in one evening… you might just end up with a terrible hangover and some liver damage.

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Disclaimer: Bear in mind the material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only. We are not addressing anyone’s personal situation. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.

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Sources:

The health benefits of drinking prosecco, published online 02.12.16, au.be.yahoo.com

Skinny Prosecco: Low-sugar fizz is now a thing, published online 05.10.16, au.be.yahoo.com

Beer Key Ingredient May Help Cure Cancer, techtimes.com

Brown et al. The biological responses to resveratrol and other polyphenols from alcoholic beverages. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research; 2009 , 10 June