Did you know red wine may help lower blood pressure?

August 28th is the world red wine day. Red wine contains powerful antioxidants, and many sources claim that drinking it has health benefits. What does the research say?

A higher intake of foods rich in flavonoids - including berries, apples, tea and red wine has been linked to lower blood pressure in analysis by Queen's University in Belfast and Kiel University in Germany.

Red wine, made from crushed dark grapes is a relatively rich source of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in the skin of grapes.

Moderation is key, with researchers finding that about three glasses of red wine per week was optimal, while for berries the suggested amount was 80g a day.

The study focused on how microbes in the gut break down flavonoids found in those foods and drinks, which then results in a drop in blood pressure.

"Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolising flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects, and this study provides evidence to suggest these blood pressure-lowering effects are achievable with simple changes to the daily diet," the study revealed.

The analysis involved more than 900 participants in Germany. Previous research has shown flavonoids can improve heart health, but researchers said this was the first time their connection to lower blood pressure has been explained.

The study's results have been published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.