Red Wine Diet

British scientist and cardiovascular expert Professor Roger Corder has set tongues wagging with his research into the health properties of red wine. Certain red wines are rich in procyanidins (a chemical found naturally in some plants) a substance which has been shown to improve the function of the lining of the blood vessels thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and some cancers.

It must be noted that Professor Corder is in no way recommending heavy alcohol use. In his diet book ‘The Red Wine Diet” he advocates drinking up to three 125ml glasses of red wine a day for men and two glasses for women. He further adds that wine must always be taken with food and his meal plans steer away from sugars and saturated fats. There is also a section included in the book debunking diet myths.

Procyanidins are found only in certain red wines and not at all in whites. Wines from Australia are very low or completely lacking in procyanidins whereas red wine from old world countries such as France and Italy and some young reds contain very high levels. Other natural sources high in this plant chemical are pomegranates and purple Concord grape juice. Professor Corder’s recommendations are to drink less wine more carefully selected and less food of a higher quality.