PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Researchers in Philadelphia have found drinking red wine is more effective than gin in lowering risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke.
The study at Thomas Jefferson University found red wine contains many compounds, which are absent from gin, that lower bloodstream levels of anti-inflammatory substances that are risk factors for stroke and heart disease.
Inflammation has long been implicated in the development of these diseases, but even though both red wine and gin showed anti-inflammatory effects by lowering levels of fibrinogen -- which can cause heart attacks -- red wine dramatically lowered the levels of other such molecules, such as adhesion molecules and proteins in monocytes and lymphocytes.
Although the link between alcohol consumption and lowered risk of heart disease and stroke are well-known, breaking down the data on an epidemiological level has been difficult, the researchers said.
Nevertheless, they still suggest drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day may be beneficial.
