A recent Swedish study shows that drinking a bit of wine a day can help improve heart rhythms in older women (Wine ‘can protect women’s hearts’).

As mentioned previously (Alcohol improves brain function), a bit of alcohol helps improve circulation (which corresponds to the heart function), according to Chinese medicine. But why is red wine more effective than any other alcohol?

In the Law of five elements, every organ is associated with a colour. Red being the colour of the heart, red foods are thus most likely to benefit the heart.

Does the idea of colour sound far-fetched? Consider this: according to Western medicine, purple grape juice has the same protective effect on the heart as red wine. See, for instance:

• Grape Juice and Heart Health (CBS New York)
• Fabulous Fruits (in the “Good grapes” section) (Ask Dr. Sears)
• Grape Juice Is Good for Your Heart (Wellsource)

But it has to be purple grape juice; white grape juice doesn’t seem to do anything for the heart.