For many decades, alcohol has been regarded as detrimental to heart health because it is linked to obesity, high blood pressure and other health problems that can cause damage to the heart. However, medical experts have come to realize that red wine can improve heart health if it is consumed in moderation. Red wine contains powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols and resveratrols, which can protect your blood vessels. Therefore, it is effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases. While it is scientifically proven that red wine can promote heart health, not much research has been conducted on the heart health benefits of other types of alcohol. So, is red wine the only heart friendly alcohol?

When it is consumed in moderation, alcohol can contribute significantly to your heart health. One of the major causes of heart diseases and heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a condition that is characterized by the narrowing and clogging of the arteries. This condition is mainly caused by excess cholesterol in your body. Cholesterol is a sticky substance that forms in your bloodstream. If there is excess cholesterol in your blood, the cholesterol will get stuck to the walls of your arteries and turn into a sticky plaque. Blood particles called platelets will attach themselves to this plaque, and this will result in blood clotting. Blood clots can be dangerous if they occur in your heart, because they can prevent oxygen from getting to the heart. Heart attack happens when the heart is deprived of oxygen. Alcohol can prevent heart attacks because it can control cholesterol level in your bloodstream and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

According to medical experts, only certain types of alcohol are effective in promoting heart health. Here are 2 kinds of alcohol other than red wine that can contribute to a healthy heart.

White Wine: Previously, it was believed that red wine is more beneficial to the heart than white wine because it contains the skins of grapes. Grape skins are known to have powerful antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, that offer excellent protection for the heart. However, a recent study that was conducted by Italian and American researchers revealed that white wine may be just as heart healthy as red wine. Apparently, grape pulps may have the same effect on the heart as grape skins. Although the pulps do not contain anthocyanins, they are rich in other forms of polyphenols that are good for the heart.

Champagne: Champagne is another type of alcohol that can improve the health of your heart. It is made from both red and white grapes, and therefore, it contains the same polyphenols that can be found in red and white wines. It has been proven that drinkers of champagne have a higher level of nitric oxide in their bodies. High levels of nitric oxide will bring about a reduction in the occurrence of blood clots, and this will in turn lower the risk of heart illnesses and strokes.