Men with high risk for heart disease had lower blood pressure after drinking nonalcoholic red wine every day for 4 weeks, according to a new study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation Research.
Nonalcoholic red wine increased participants’ levels of nitric oxide, which helped decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, researchers said. Nitric oxide is a molecule in the body that helps blood vessels relax and allows more blood to reach your heart and organs.
Researchers studied 67 men with diabetes or three or more cardiovascular risk factors, who ate a common diet plus one of the following drinks: about 10 ounces of red wine, nonalcoholic red wine, or about 3 ounces of gin. All the men tried each diet/beverage combination for 4 weeks.
The red wine and nonalcoholic wine contained equal amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant that decreases blood pressure.
During the red wine phase, the men had very little reduction in blood pressure and there was no change while drinking gin. However, after drinking nonalcoholic red wine, blood pressure decreased by about 6 mmHg in systolic and 2 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure—possibly reducing the risk of heart disease by 14% and stroke by as much as 20%.
Researchers concluded that the alcohol in red wine weakens its ability to lower blood pressure. But polyphenols—still present after alcohol is removed from wine are likely the beneficial element in wine.
1. The study in the passage would best conclude that a. alcohol has no effect on blood pressure.
b. alcoholics are the most likely to suffer strokes.
c. the antioxidants present in red wine that are beneficial to health concerns are negated by alcohol.
d. polyphenols are detrimental to health.
e. drinking gin is a useless endeavor.
2. Based on the information in the passage, nonalcoholic red wine will have a better impact on combating a. neither heart disease nor stroke.
b. stroke.
c. heart disease.
d. stroke and heart disease.
e. nitric oxide.
3. It can be inferred from the passage that diabetic men a. have a propensity for eating and drinking beyond the point of average human consumption.
b. are susceptible to having a negative reaction to nitric oxide.
c. are at higher risk than the average male for developing heart disease.
d. have a physiological reaction to red wine.
e. have blood pressure that’s anywhere from 14% to 20% higher than the average male’s.
4. According to the information in the passage, which of the following best expresses the main idea? a. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is constantly proving to be detrimental to health.
b. Polyphenols are of great value to the human body.
c. The alcohol in red wine negates the positive effects the consumption of polyphenols can achieve.
d. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels to relax, allowing more blood flow to the heart and brain.
e. The risk of heart disease can be reduced by drinking red wine
5. The purpose of paragraph 5 is to a. introduce the variables that will support a thesis.
b. present the counterpoint to the passage.
c. include the support of additional peripheral expertise.
d. present the findings for the conclusion of a study.
e. defend an opinion.
6. The two different wines mentioned in the passage most resemble: a. a Labrador retriever and a Labradoodle
b. whole milk and lactose-free milk
c. Granny Smith apples and Fuji apples
d. a gas oven and a microwave oven
e. a Big Wheel and a bicycle