A glass of wine per day may keep the doctor away by slashing the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, research suggests.
A Spanish study investigated the effect of wine consumption in people who were at high risk of heart problems and following a Mediterranean-style diet.
Those who drank between half a glass and one glass daily were 50% less likely to suffer a serious cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke than those who drank very little or no wine.
Light drinking – defined as between one glass per week and less than half a glass per day – appeared to reduce risk by 38%.
However, the proactive effect disappeared in people who drank more than one glass per day.
Study leader Professor Ramon Estruch, from the University of Barcelona, said: “We have found a much greater protective effect of wine than that observed in other studies.
“A reduction in risk of 50% is much higher than can be achieved with some drugs, such as statins.”
Some 1,232 study participants were all following a Mediterranean diet, high in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish, and low in sweet or processed food and drink.
They had either type 2 diabetes or other factors raising their risk of heart problems such as smoking, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Participants completed questionnaires about what they ate and drank and provided urine samples, which were tested for levels of tartaric acid.
The chemical is naturally found in grapes and grape-derived products such as wine and excreted in urine. Researchers said this provided a more accurate measurement of wine consumption.
Prof Estruch added: “This study examines the importance of moderate wine consumption within a healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet.
“Until now, we believed that 20% of the effects of the Mediterranean diet could be attributed to moderate wine consumption; however, in light of these results, the effect may be even greater.”
Experts not involved in the research warned that the evidence was limited and drinking too much could be harmful.
Tracy Parker, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: “While the study suggests that low to moderate wine consumption may lower CVD risk, it is not the all clear to crack open a bottle of red wine.
“It is important to note that this finding shows an association, not causation. Further research is needed to establish a definitive link.
“Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of heart and circulatory conditions, such as high blood pressure and vascular dementia, as well as liver problems and certain cancers.
“The study supports the UK’s current guidelines, which advise no more than 14 units of alcohol per week to minimise health risks. This is equivalent to six pints of beer or six small glasses of wine.”
Professor Naveed Sattar, an expert in cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, said: “It’s disappointing to see such research when overwhelming evidence shows that any amount of alcohol increases the risk of many complications including hypertension, heart failure, multiple cancers, acute injuries etc.
“I would strongly urge people to drink as little as they can do if they wish to be healthier.” The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.
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