Red wine is it really good for arteries?

The French Paradox that makes you could have a fat diet but less heart problems than in other countries, including the USA. Is this a myth or reality?

Short answer

The French Paradox proves it statistically, there is no doubt that this is the wine that has a positive effect against heart problems. But where is a disagreement is the fact that this is specific to red wine, or that the property may extend to other alcoholic beverages.
In all cases, wine must be consumed in small amounts, two glasses (about 20 cl) per day at most, and preferably during meals, since alcohol is harmful to the throat ... and carcinogenic.

Long answer

France is one of the countries where people drink plenty red wine, five times more than in Finland and where mortality from cardiovascular diseases is two times lower than in this country. Italy is statistically close to France. In general, greater consumption of red wine is associated with lower mortality for this cause.

Why is wine so beneficial?

For some, this comes from alcohol, so that beer or white wine would be equally beneficial cons cardiac risk. Alcohol (ethanol in the case of wine) promotes the production of HDL, the good cholesterol, and thus reduces the bad one. Some statistical studies go in this direction.
But others go in the opposite direction, only the red wine would be beneficial and a scientific basis is given. These are the polyphenols, also called tannins, which are the cause.
They stimulate the release of nitric oxide, which has a dilatory effect on blood vessels, which facilitates flow and reduces the risk of obstruction.

There are more polyphenols in red wine than in white wine or other alcoholic beverages. The resveratrol also limits the formation of cholesterol plaques that clog arteries and is also an anti-oxidant that benefits to longevity. But the polyphenols are effective in the destruction of these plates.

Alcohol and the brain

Alcohol in all its forms, wine, beer, sake, tequila, even in small quantities tends to destroy the dentrites in the brain, these rods which connect neurons to each other and allow thoughts to be formed.
The dentrites can regenerate over time, provided there are breaks in alcohol consumption. Consequently, regular consumption, even minimal, leads to a progressive and irreversible degradation of the brain.