Effects of Dietary Antioxidants to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

Background \& Aims: The role of red wine in cardiovascular risk prevention has been documented by several epidemiological studies in patients and normocholesterolemic healthy individuals. However, it is unclear whether hypercholesterolemic individuals free of cardiovascular disease would equally benefit from moderate red wine consumption to prevent atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. Methods: Forty (40) healthy volunteers males and females were recruited, divided into 2 age-adjusted groups according to their total cholesterol levels; in asymptomatic hypercholesterolemics (AHC ), and normocholesterolemics (NC ). Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC ), Lipid profile, Vitamin E, and cardiovascular risk indexes ( LDL /HDL and Vitamin E/TC ) were evaluated in the blood serum of all subjects prior to and 1 month after once daily red wine consumption as well as prior to and after being given a placebo drink following a 1 month wash out period and resveratrol for 1 month after wash out period..