Drinking wine or alcohol in some populations could be beneficial due to, role of antioxidants, an increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol or anti-clotting properties Red wine has flavonoids and other antioxidants . These are also found in red grapes How ever direct comparison trials are there to determine the specific effect of wine or other alcohol on the risk of developing heart disease or stroke, so all the good effects of alcohol might be hue to better life style and increased physical activity

How alcohol or wine affects cardiovascular risk merits further research, but right now the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain these potential benefits