Cholesterol accumulation is the initial step in the formation of arterial plaque. Scientists believe that cholesterol derived from lipoproteins is more readily absorbed by the cells that line the arteries after the oxidation process.
Plaque accumulation increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
We added red wine to some samples, white wine or pure alcohol to others. White wine also blocked oxidation, but only when the researchers increased its concentration to five times the amount of red wine used. Ethanol, or pure alcohol, had no effect in blocking oxidation. Our research confirms that this seems to be beneficial by inhibiting the oxidation process. The research finding was published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.