Are Some Red Wines Healthier Than Others? If you've ever used the phrase "but it's healthy!" to justify a glass of wine, we've got good news: There is a growing body of research indicating that certain compounds in red wine can actually help prevent cancer.Researchers at the UK's University of Leicester presented these findings at a 2012 international conference dedicated to resveratrol—a compound with well-known antioxidant properties that's found in dark-skinned berries such as red grapes and blueberries. Their two-year investigation concluded that laboratory mice given a daily dose of resveratrol, equivalent to two glasses of red wine, were 50% less likely to develop cancerous tumors. According to study author Karen Brown, PhD, a professor at the University of Leicester, the research marks the first time that scientists have been able to document the ability of low doses of resveratrol to help fight tumor growth.“Having shown in our lab experiments that it can reduce tumor development, we are concentrating on identifying the mechanisms of how resveratrol works in human cells,” Brown says.

(The benefits of red wine extend beyond preventing cancer: Check out 8 Reasons To Love Red Wine.) Buying a bottle of vino? As research indicates, red wine can be a top-notch option—but choose carefully. It turns out that some reds are accompanied by superior health benefits. We've rounded up a few of the most nutritious reds.More from Prevention: The Best Wine and Chocolate Pairings When he studied 100 different red wines, Leroy Creasy, PhD, a professor emeritus in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, consistently found the highest concentrations of resveratrol in pinot noirs that had been grown in cool, rainy climates. His advice to health conscious imbibers: “Stay away from huge wineries, because their wine is made by chemists and they tend to mellow the wine out to save aging time, which reduces resveratrol,” he says. “Stick to boutique wineries or traditional old-fashioned wineries, where the winemaker is not a chemical engineer.” These rustic wines, made from tannat grapes, contain very high levels of procyanidins.

This antioxidant improves cardiovascular and arterial health, and has been linked to increased longevitivy by several studies, including one 2006 paper published in the journal Nature. These reds have a different flavor profile than cabernets and madirans, but they also contain high levels of procyanidins. Syrah, also referred to as Shiraz, is flavored with black currants. Merlot, a medium-bodied wine, is made from blue-colored grapes. Red wines with more of a dry flavor profile, like cabernets, boast higher levels of flavonoids—an antioxidant that's been shown to promote healthy cholesterol levels and help prevent coronary heart disease. As a general rule, the sweeter the wine, the lower the flavonoid levels (wines like Zinfandels, for instance, have relatively low levels of this helpful compound). More from Prevention: 6 Weird Fruit Wines You Must Try Let's Stay In TouchRed wine can be a healthy beverage if you drink moderately -- no more than one or two 5-ounce glasses daily -- because it has more polyphenol antioxidants than other alcoholic beverages.

Polyphenols are linked to cardiovascular benefits, blood sugar improvement and cancer prevention. Choose red wines with high polyphenol levels.what is the best wine on a diet The polyphenol procyanidin may provide cardiovascular benefits as it inhibits blood clots and inflammation, and relaxes and dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow. top red wines under 40 dollarsProcyanidin is the most potent polyphenol for improving cardiovascular health and is highest in the Tannat grape, according to researchers of a study published in the journal "Nature" in 2006. top 10 wine investmentsResearchers of this study found wines from Sardinia, Italy and southwestern France to have the highest procyanidin levels, likely as a result of the traditional production method which ensures a high level of procyandidin makes it into the wine. buy wine kits online canada

Among these wines, they found Madiran wines from southwestern France to be the highest in procyanidin likely because they are made mainly from Tannat grapes.best diet with wine Resveratrol is a polyphenol which may reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks and improve blood sugars. wine on tap ukIn the 1990s, Leroy Creasy, PhD emeritus professor in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, studied over 100 different red wine varieties -- 70 from New York, 22 from California, and the rest from other states or countries. Creasy found that Pinot Noir wines had significantly higher resveratrol content than other wine varieties regardless of processing or geography. The polyphenol anthocyanin gives wine its red color. The darker the wine, the more anthocyanin there is in it. Polyphenols multiply in humid weather and when grape skins are exposed to ultraviolet light.

Creasy found that all New York wines-- not just Pinot Noir, but also Merlot and other wine varieties -- had significantly higher resveratrol content overall. This is likely a result of New York's often sunny and humid weather. Dr. James Harbertson, an enologist at Washington State University, advises choosing wines from regions farther from the equator because they have more daylight hours. Also choose dry -- less sweet -- wines, such as Cabernet, as they have higher anthocyanin and procyanidin levels. According to the American Heart Association, there is insufficient evidence to recommend to people who do not drink to start drinking red wine as a protective measure for their cardiovascular health. The health benefits of red wine may be influenced by other factors such as genetics, physical activity, smoking, social life and environment. Discuss moderate drinking with your physician especially if you are a cardiac patient. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week

Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week Grape Juice Vs. Wine for Health Benefits Is Grape Juice High in Iron? Wines With High Levels of Polyphenols List of Heart-Healthy Wines The Best Red Wine for Your Health The Difference Between White Grape Juice and Purple Grape Juice How Much Red Wine Do You Need to Drink for Health Benefits? The Best Wines for Resveratrol How Much Red Wine Do You Need to Get Enough Resveratrol? Can Wine Affect Your Cholesterol? Negative Effects of Eating Grapes How to Calculate Calories in Wine Foods High in Polyphenols What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking a Little Pinot Noir Wine Every Day? Antioxidants in Cabernet Vs. Merlot Can Drinking Wine Lead to High Cholesterol? Risks and Benefits of Pomegranate Juice Does Red Wine Increase HDL Levels?