Wine consumption and health, experts speak (2)

Contrary to some extremely cautious positions, there is a body of scientific research-epidemiological and clinical-that points to possible positive public health benefits associated with moderate wine consumption. Of course, this is not to encourage people to drink alcohol for health reasons, but to recognize that moderate consumption, within a healthy lifestyle, may be associated with better health outcomes than either abuse or total abstention, for specific indicators.

Better cardiovascular profile in moderate wine drinkers

Numerous international studies have found an improved cardiovascular profile in moderate wine drinkers compared with both heavy drinkers and nondrinkers. A recent independent systematic review conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) concluded that moderate consumption of wine (as distinct from abuse) may be associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality. A reduction quantifiable as approx. -16% risk of death in men and -23% in women compared with nonconsumers https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/28582/review-of-evidence-on-alcohol-and-health. These data, the result of a broad peer-reviewed consensus of experts, confirm the existence of a “protective effect” statistically detected in moderate drinkers.

Lower cardiac risk

Particularly for the cardiac risk, moderate wine intake appears to correlate with lower incidence of coronary artery disease and stroke than both teetotalers and heavy drinkers (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). For example, a recent European study observed that drinking wine in small doses within a Mediterranean diet can reduce by 50% the risk of serious cardiovascular events. A remarkable effect, comparable to or greater than that of some pharmacological interventions, according to the study authors ( EHJ 2025 ). Although this percentage should be taken with caution and contextualized (the participants were elderly individuals at high cardiovascular risk, followed in Spain), the figure supports the existence of tangible benefits in specific contexts.

In addition to the heart, the metabolism can benefit from small amounts of wine: evidence points to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in moderate consumers, probably due to favorable effects of wine on glucose metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Also on the disease front neurodegenerative, some studies suggest an association between moderate wine consumption and lower incidence of dementia and cognitive decline (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), due to both polyphenols (such as resveratrol) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and the role of wine in the social context (conviviality and cognitive stimuli related to shared meals).

No more than one bottle of wine per week

It is important to note that these beneficial effects typically emerge in “low-to-moderate” consumption regimens (low regular doses). A 2024 analysis showed that the cardiovascular benefit of wine disappears when exceeding a certain threshold: indicatively no more than 1 bottle of wine per week (about 3-7 glasses in total)-beyond this limit, the benefits tend to fade (EHJ 2025). This indicates that the moderation is key: potential positive effects occur only within narrow ranges of consumption. I Moderate and habitual drinkers of wine with meals therefore have different risk profiles (for the better) than both teetotalers and excessive drinkers.

It is also worth mentioning balanced positions taken by health and research organizations: for example, the narrative review by Hrelia et al. (2023) concludes that “wine differs from other alcoholic beverages and its moderate consumption not only does not increase the risk of chronic degenerative diseases, but is associated with health benefits, particularly when included in a Mediterranean dietary pattern”. The same analysis shows that in Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries, moderate wine consumption is associated with increased longevity, reduced cardiovascular risk, and no appreciable increase in overall cancer risk. While reiterating that total abstention is the most precautionary choice for preventing cancer (a concept to which we will return), the authors confirm that in the overall balance of health outcomes, moderate wine has a neutral or favorable impact on many diseases.

A glass of wine a day

Similarly, the Dietary Guidelines of many countries (including Italy and the United States) have historically recognized that, for healthy adults, one glass of wine per day Can be part of a balanced diet. The same next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will build on the NASEM evidence cited above to clearly distinguish between moderate consumption and abuse, recognizing the different health effects.

In summary, moderate and informed consumption of wine – that is, limited in quantity (usually ≤1-2 units per day, depending on gender and body size), contextualized in the meal, and integrated into a healthy lifestyle active and rich in fruits and vegetables – can have neutral or even positive effects In terms of public health. This is quite different from the consumption of any alcoholic beverage indiscriminately. The scientific challenge current is to continue to study these effects to better understand mechanisms and limitations. For example, confirm whether the benefit observed in moderate wine drinkers is causal or also due to other factors (overall diet, socioeconomic status, etc.).

However, aprioristically denying any possible positive effect of wine, despite decades-old epidemiological evidence and millennia-old historical and cultural traditions, risks being a simplification unsupported by the body of available data.

The vignette used for the opening is by Ilaria Traverso, “L’erba del vicino.” Taken from the Spirito di Vino (eno)satire contest, edition 2023, Under 35 category, organized by the Movimento Turismo del Vino Friuli Venezia Giulia.