New research published in the European Heart Journal has shown that light and moderate wine consumption may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications.
The study included over 1,200 participants. The wine consumption of each participant was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Additionally, the participants’ urinary tartaric acid was measured at baseline and after one year. Tartaric acid is a biomarker present in grapes, and it can give a more objective measure of wine drinking compared to food frequency questionnaires; questionnaires that measure alcohol intake are notoriously inaccurate due to inaccurate recall and social expectations surrounding alcohol consumption. In addition to the two measures of wine consumption, the study monitored and analyzed cardiovascular outcomes among the participants. The goal of the study was to evaluate the relationship between urinary tartaric acid and cardiovascular events.
The results showed that light wine consumption, ranging from one glass per week to half a glass per day, was associated with a 38% lower risk of cardiovascular complications. Moderate wine consumption, ranging from half a glass to one glass per day, was associated with a 50% lower risk of cardiovascular complications. Higher wine consumption, including anything exceeding one glass per day, was not associated with any lowering of cardiovascular risk. The researchers also noted that light and moderate wine consumption always occurred with meals rather than between meals.
Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of wine consumption on heart health. However, this study suggests that relatively small amounts of wine may be beneficial for the heart. The authors noted that more research is needed to confirm the results of this study. In particular, the mechanism of action for these effects could provide more plausibility for the results. One proposed mechanism of action includes the anti-inflammatory properties of certain components of wine, such as resveratrol and other phenolic compounds. Notably, excessive drinking has negative effects on the heart as well as overall health.
Sources: European Heart Journal, Science Daily