Cardiovascular protection from alcoholic drinks: Scientific basis of the French paradox

This article discusses the cardiovascular protection afforded by low to moderate consumption of ethanol and the role of ethanol-induced preconditioning. Ethanol, a compound that is found in many popular beverages, has a whole range of cardiovascular protective effects when consumed in low to moderate doses. Although they have yet to be totally clarified, recent data suggest that a combination of several actions at the biochemical and molecular levels play a role in this protection. These include favorable changes in lipid metabolism, antioxidant effects, changes in hemostasis and platelet aggregation, arterial vasodilation mediated by NO release, induction of the expression of cardioprotective proteins, insulin sensitization and lower levels of inflammatory markers. Special emphasis will be given to ethanol-induced preconditioning. Some of the compounds present in red and white wine, such as resveratrol and quercetin, are also partly responsible for some of the cardioprotective effects of alcoholic drinks. These are due to antioxidant effects and changes in platelet aggregation, endothelial function and inflammatory response. The last part of the paper will focus on the clinical applications and possibilities raised by these new findings.