“People shouldn't think that drinking wine is healthy,” says Dr Oliver Guttmann, consultant cardiologist at Wellington Hospital in London.
Alcohol consumption is linked to high blood pressure, liver disease, digestive disease, mental health and immune system problems, as well as cancer.
However, research has shown that drinking wine in moderation may provide small benefits to your heart, Guttmann says.
They show that wine may help lower levels of “bad” cholesterol, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney problems and stroke. This is due to compounds that have vasodilating and anti-inflammatory effects, helping blood vessels stay open and flexible. Red wine also contains antioxidants, such as resveratrol found in grape skins, which may further support heart health.
However, there are serious caveats. World Health Organization published a statement in 2023 the message that no level of alcohol consumption is safe; The benefits of wine for the heart are outweighed by the fact that it is a Group 1 carcinogen along with asbestos and tobacco. Other foods, such as berries and grapes, offer the same benefits as wine without these negative effects.
after promoting the newsletter
“I would never advise a teetotaler to start,” Guttmann says. But he also says it's unrealistic to expect everyone who currently drinks to become sober, adding: “Moderation is key. Be smart. Alcohol, especially beer or spirits, is high in sugar and calories and can damage the liver.”
He recommends drinking no more than 20 small glasses of wine per month. The British Heart Foundation recommends not drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week (six medium glasses of wine).
“Wine is not medicine,” says Guttmann. “I don’t want people to think they can eat poorly and balance it out with a glass of wine.”
