Based on findings of a recent study researchers suggest that women drink wine to keep their hearts healthy .Studies in the past have reported drinking wine is good for the heart. Although much of the research on the potential health benefits of alcohol has been done on men, it is still not clear why moderate amounts of wine seems to be good for the heart.
To determine the effects of wine on women’s hearts, the alcohol habits of 102 women under age 75 were analyzed . All of the women had survived a heart attack or heart surgery for blocked arteries. After a year, a heart tracing (electrocardiogram, also known as ECG) was taken during routine activities to test heart rate variability (HRV). HRV measures the changes in time intervals between the beats of the heart. Decreased variability has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and death.It was found that HRV was highest in women who drank five or more grams of alcohol a day and was lowest in women who drank no alcohol at all . Drinking wine, but not beer or spirits, was found to keep hearts the healthiest. Thus researchers say the favorable effects on HRV may be one of the reasons wine protects heart health .
