Does a Daily Glass of Wine Heart-Healthy?
“People shouldn’t think that drinking wine is good for you,” notes a consultant cardiologist. Drinking alcohol is connected to high blood pressure, liver problems, and digestive, mental health and immune system problems, as well as cancer.
Reported Cardiac Advantages
That said, studies have shown that moderate wine consumption could have a few limited perks for your cardiovascular system, according to experts. This research suggests wine can help lower LDL cholesterol – which may reduce the likelihood of heart disease, kidney ailments and brain attack.
Alcohol is not a cure. The notion that an unhealthy diet can be counteracted with wine is flawed.
This is due to substances that have effects that relax blood vessels and fight inflammation, helping blood vessels stay open and flexible. Red wine also contains antioxidants such as the antioxidant resveratrol, located in the peel of grapes, which may provide extra support for heart health.
Major Caveats and Health Warnings
Nevertheless, crucial drawbacks are present. A leading international health organization has released findings reporting that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink; the heart-related advantages of wine are outweighed by it being a group 1 carcinogen, alongside asbestos and tobacco.
Other foods – such as berries and grapes provide comparable advantages to wine free from such detrimental impacts.
Guidance on Limited Intake
“I’d never encourage a non-drinker to start,” notes an expert. But it’s also unreasonable to anticipate everyone who presently consumes alcohol to go teetotal, adding: “Restraint is essential. Be prudent. Alcohol, especially beer or spirits, is high in sugar and calories and can damage the liver.”
The advice is consuming a maximum of 20 small wine glasses monthly. A leading cardiac foundation recommends not drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week (equivalent to six average wine glasses).
The essential point is: Wine should not be viewed as a health supplement. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are the proven foundations for long-term heart health.
