Researchers Discover the Healthiest Wines for Your Heart

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Scientists discover where the world's healthiest wines are grown

A study just published in Nature shows that wines from Nuoro

province in Sardinia and the Gers departement in the foothills of

the Pyrenees are particularly rich, containing up to 10 times more

polyphenols (especially polymeric procyandins) than alternatives

from elsewhere. Procyanadins suppress production of endothelin-1, a

protein that constricts blood vessels.

Red wines from Nuoro, such as Cannonau, and from Gers, such as

Madiran, were found to have between two and four times more

procyanidins than other red wines. They also had the greatest effect

on endothelin-1 production in the laboratory.

Two small 5 ounce glasses of Madiran wine a day would provide

between 200 and 300 milligrams of procyanidins, which studies of

grape extract suggest is enough to lower blood pressure. More

research is needed, however, to determine how procyanidins in wine

affect human health.

The traditional wine-making techniques used in these two regions

probably explain much of their higher procyanidin content. The

compound comes chiefly from grape seeds, and are extracted most

efficiently by long fermentation periods with seeds and skins of

three to four weeks. Modern techniques only ferment with seeds for

a week or so.

Grape variety also makes a difference, and the Tannat grape used

widely in south west France is particularly rich in procyanidins.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo grapes can also produce wines with

high procyanidin content, but only if wine-makers use long

fermentation techniques that draw out the beneficial compounds.

" The traditional production methods used in Sardinia and south

western France ensure that the beneficial compounds, procyanidins,

are efficiently extracted, " Professor Corder said.

Wines that are rich in procyanidin are more difficult to make to

high standards, they have a tannin-heavy taste, and they tend to be

expensive.

Procyanidins are also found in dark chocolate, apples and

cranberries.

Read the rest at:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2478251_1,00.html