Procyanidins - heart disease reducing polyphenols

The polyphenol PROCYANIDIN is identified as causing a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease and lowering of overall mortality. Lower blood pressure will also reduce the risk of Stroke.

The highest levels known of PROCYANIDIN in the local red wines in Gers are identified as the cause of the greatest longevity in France, and similarly in  Sardinia. These are the world’s most procyanidin rich wines.

Other foods rich in PROCYANIDINS are also associated with exceptional longevity in other populations.

If you enjoy a glass of wine, why not drink a wine rich in  healthy antioxidants?

Research Summary
On 30 November 2006 a research article was published in “Nature” magazine on the significant health-giving benefits of the very high levels of  polyphenols in some red wines.

Roger Corder, Professor of Experimental Therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute in London, identified the polyphenol responsible for the reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease and the lowering of overall mortality in regular, moderate consumers of some red wines. Prof Corder has spent 25yrs researching diabetes and heart disease.

Epidemiological studies revealed that two populations in Europe live a long time. People in the Gers department in the midi-Pyrenees in the south-west of France and in the Nuoro province of Sardinia, especially men, have a greater longevity.

Wines from these regions are particularly high in polyphenols called procyanidins. This is because a large proportion of the grapes used to produce the local wines in these regions are the flavanoid-rich grape, Tannat. Furthermore the traditional wine-making techniques in the south-west of France, where the grape skins and seeds remain in contact with the juice during fermentation and maceration for an extended period, result in red wines with the greatest concentration of procyanidins.

The groundbreaking research by Professor Roger Corder and colleagues has established that;

• Procyanidins lower blood pressure by -

• suppressing endothelin-1, a peptide that has an undesirable vasoconstriction effect,
• increasing nitric oxide in the blood causing vasodilation and increasing blood flow

• Procyanidins decrease platelet aggregation

thus reducing clot formation and blockage of arteries

• Procyanidins prevent oxidation of LDL-cholesterol

High blood cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease because LDL-cholesterol can accumulate in the artery wall where after oxidation it causes inflammation and the formation of plaque. When LDL-cholesterol is protected from oxidation it is less likely to cause atherosclerosis.

• Very few wines have exceptionally high concentrations of procyanidins

Corder tested many wines and identified only a few regions of the world that consistently have the highest concentrations of procyanidins

British Heart Foundation - quoted Nov 07 Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate director of the BHF, admits that there is convincing evidence of the virtues of red wine. "Maybe it's time we revised our policy," he says. "I think that perhaps we are being too cautious. We've always been reluctant to promote alcohol because of the obvious risks of over-drinking, but I think there's enough evidence now for us to have a re-think".

Other research has stated that these polyphenols in red wine also protect against the dangers of strokes, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers.

Professor Giovanni de Gaetano ... of Italy.  At the Wine & Health Symposium in Pau in 2007, Prof Gaetano stated that epidemiological studies have established that nowhere in the world where populations are given drug treatments to manage cardiovascular health, have they achieved the low levels of heart disease related deaths, as occurs in Gers where medical services are described as basic.

Prof Corder Comments - after only two weeks of drinking a glass of procyanidin rich wine per day there are positive effects on cardiovascular health.

See a sample of testimonials from New Zealanders who have experienced reduced blood pressure.

Other Rich Sources of Procyanidins
If you are not a red wine drinker, other sources of procyanidins include dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), walnuts, cranberries, certain apple varieties and pomegranates.

Live Healthier Live Longer                        “A man is as old as his arteries”