CHEERS TO YOUR HEART

Because eating fish and drinking wine have similar heart-healthy effects, researchers conducted a study, published in the American Heart Journal, to determine if these substances might be working together. Half of the 353 men participating in the study were instructed to eat a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). The body is able to convert some ALA to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)-the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. The other half ate a typical Western-style diet. Both groups included fish. The men were then divided into four groups based on alcohol (mostly wine) intake. After 15 months, ornega-3 fatty acid levels were higher in men on the Mediterranean-style diet, and alcohol drinkers from both diet groups had higher levels than nondrinkers. Mediterranean-style dieters who were also regular wine drinkers had the highest levels. Researchers concluded that alcohol-particularly wine-might help to convert ALA into EPA and DHA.