Wine, Cranberry Juice Said to Contribute to Good Health

02/15/2010

People interested in avoiding various medical problems and holding down their long-term health insurance costs have long heard media reports highlighting the benefits of red wine.

The American Heart Association website notes that various medical studies have found the flavonoids in red wine help reduce the risk of heart disease, and that grapes and red juice also have such benefits. The AHA warns that consuming too much alcohol has its own set of serious health risks.

More recently, the Ocean Spray company highlighted new research from Queen Mary University in London which found that the oligomeric procyanidins in cranberry juice appear to contribute to lower blood pressure and a healthier heart.

The announcement quoted one of the researchers, Dr. Roger Corder, as saying that the components of cranberry juice help improve the circulation of "good" cholesterol while also helping to control the constriction of blood vessels.

To achieve the full benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to avoid pre-existing conditions like heart disease, which can cause health insurance premiums to rise dramatically, proper diet and exercise are also essential.

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