Moderate wine consumption cuts heart disease risk by 50%, study finds

A new study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that drinking a daily glass of wine may halve the risk of heart attack and could be more effective than statins at lowering heart disease risk. The research was conducted by the University of Barcelona in partnership with the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and involved 1,232 participants who followed a Mediterranean diet over a four-to-five-year period, according to The Independent.

Professor Ramon Estruch from the University of Barcelona, who led the study, explained: "By measuring tartaric acid in the urine, alongside food and drink questionnaires, we have been able to make a more accurate measurement of wine consumption," as reported by "The Independent". Tartaric acid is a chemical naturally found in grapes and grape products like wine, offering a clear indication of whether wine has been recently consumed within the last five to six days.

The participants were older individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, including those with factors such as type 2 diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or a family history of heart problems, and they followed a Mediterranean diet, according to The Sun. Over the follow-up period, there were 685 cases of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from cardiovascular disease, as noted by CTVNews.

"We have found a much higher protective effect of wine compared to other studies," Estruch stated. He highlighted a risk reduction of 50% that is significantly higher than what some medications, such as statins, can achieve. "A reduction in risk of 50 percent is higher than can be achieved by taking some medications, such as statins," according to The Independent.

The study examined the association between urinary tartaric acid, a biomarker of wine consumption, and the rate of cardiovascular disease. Light consumption of wine, defined as from one glass a week to less than half a glass a day, reduced cardiovascular risk by 38%, and this reduction reaches 50% when the consumption is moderate, between half a glass and one glass a day.

However, the protective effect disappeared in individuals who drank more than one glass per day.

Notably, the benefits were observed only when wine was consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high content of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish, and low content of sweets, processed foods, and drinks.

Experts have voiced caution regarding the findings. Tracy Parker, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said that "while the study suggests that low to moderate wine consumption may lower cardiovascular risk, it is not an all clear to crack open a bottle of red wine," as reported by The Sun. "It is well documented that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to heart health," she added.

Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the study, advised against drinking wine or any alcohol for good health. "I would strongly urge people to drink as little as they can do if they wish to be healthier," he said. He also pointed out that "the wine paradox is a myth and this article adds nothing whatsoever new to what is already known."

Professor Paul Leeson, consultant cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford, commented on the study: "People often say that 'wine is good for the heart' but we also know too much wine is 'not good for the heart'," as reported by The Independent. He noted that the study shows an association between moderate wine consumption and reduced heart risk, but it does not prove causation. "There may be other factors contributing to the reduced risk among wine consumers."

Critics also highlight potential conflicts of interest. Several experts have called the results biased, saying the work has been funded by "the wine industry," reported El Periódico [Moderate wine consumption cuts heart disease risk by 50%, study finds

Researchers caution that the benefits were only observed in high-risk older adults on a Mediterranean diet.

A new study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that drinking a daily glass of wine may halve the risk of heart attack and could be more effective than statins at lowering heart disease risk. The research was conducted by the University of Barcelona in partnership with the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and involved 1,232 participants who followed a Mediterranean diet over a four-to-five-year period, according to The Independent.

Professor Ramon Estruch from the University of Barcelona, who led the study, explained: "By measuring tartaric acid in the urine, alongside food and drink questionnaires, we have been able to make a more accurate measurement of wine consumption," as reported by "The Independent". Tartaric acid is a chemical naturally found in grapes and grape products like wine, offering a clear indication of whether wine has been recently consumed within the last five to six days.

The participants were older individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, including those with factors such as type 2 diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or a family history of heart problems, and they followed a Mediterranean diet, according to The Sun. Over the follow-up period, there were 685 cases of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from cardiovascular disease, as noted by CTVNews.

"We have found a much higher protective effect of wine compared to other studies," Estruch stated. He highlighted a risk reduction of 50% that is significantly higher than what some medications, such as statins, can achieve. "A reduction in risk of 50 percent is higher than can be achieved by taking some medications, such as statins," according to The Independent.

The study examined the association between urinary tartaric acid, a biomarker of wine consumption, and the rate of cardiovascular disease. Light consumption of wine, defined as from one glass a week to less than half a glass a day, reduced cardiovascular risk by 38%, and this reduction reaches 50% when the consumption is moderate, between half a glass and one glass a day.

However, the protective effect disappeared in individuals who drank more than one glass per day.

Notably, the benefits were observed only when wine was consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high content of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish, and low content of sweets, processed foods, and drinks.

Experts have voiced caution regarding the findings. Tracy Parker, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said that "while the study suggests that low to moderate wine consumption may lower cardiovascular risk, it is not an all clear to crack open a bottle of red wine," as reported by The Sun. "It is well documented that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to heart health," she added.

Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the study, advised against drinking wine or any alcohol for good health. "I would strongly urge people to drink as little as they can do if they wish to be healthier," he said. He also pointed out that "the wine paradox is a myth and this article adds nothing whatsoever new to what is already known."

Professor Paul Leeson, consultant cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford, commented on the study: "People often say that 'wine is good for the heart' but we also know too much wine is 'not good for the heart'," as reported by The Independent. He noted that the study shows an association between moderate wine consumption and reduced heart risk, but it does not prove causation. "There may be other factors contributing to the reduced risk among wine consumers."

Critics also highlight potential conflicts of interest. Several experts have called the results biased, saying the work has been funded by "the wine industry," reported El Periódico.

The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.