A recent study has suggested that low to moderate wine consumption may be linked to a reduction in cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction, among individuals at high cardiovascular risk. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data from over 1,200 participants in the PREDIMED study in Spain. It found that those who consumed between three and 35 glasses of wine per month had a lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to individuals who drank less than three glasses or more than 35.
The study used urinary tartaric acid levels—a compound found in grapes—as a biomarker to estimate wine consumption. Researchers believe that this method offers a more accurate measure of wine intake than traditional self-reported surveys. Tartaric acid, which is present in significant quantities in wine but not in other foods or beverages, serves as an effective indicator of wine consumption.
The participants, with an average age of 68, were all considered at high cardiovascular risk, either due to existing conditions like type 2 diabetes or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Over the course of the study, which lasted about five years, those in the moderate wine consumption group experienced fewer cardiovascular events compared to the low or high consumption groups.
Expert Reactions: A Mixed Response
While the study’s findings are noteworthy, experts have raised concerns about its implications for public health advice.
Josep Maria Suelves, head of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia’s Smoking and Injury Prevention Service, cautioned that while the study aligns with previous research suggesting a potential cardiovascular benefit from small amounts of alcohol, such benefits could be overstated. He argued that the apparent reduction in cardiovascular mortality observed in some studies is likely due to biases in the groups of non-drinkers, who may have been less healthy to begin with. He also emphasized that alcohol consumption carries significant health risks, including a higher likelihood of various cancers, and should not be recommended for health promotion. The World Health Organization has stated that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Julián Pérez-Villacastín, head of Cardiology at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, acknowledged the high quality of the study but stressed the limitations of observational research. He highlighted that while the findings suggest moderate wine consumption may reduce cardiovascular risk, it is important to remember that this association does not prove causality. He emphasized that individuals with cardiovascular risk factors may benefit from moderate wine consumption, but reiterated that health advice should not universally encourage alcohol consumption.
On the other hand, Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, expressed skepticism about the study’s conclusions, noting that it remains unclear whether wine consumption directly leads to lower cardiovascular risk. He criticized the observational nature of the study, highlighting potential confounding factors such as underlying health conditions that may influence the results. Sattar further argued that the study’s findings should not be used as a basis for encouraging wine consumption, especially given the broader health risks associated with alcohol.
Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics at the Open University, pointed out that while the study adds to existing evidence, it does not definitively answer whether small amounts of wine reduce cardiovascular risk. He explained that observational studies are often subject to confounding factors, which could distort the findings. McConway also questioned the accuracy of the biomarker used in the study, tartaric acid, noting that while it is linked to wine consumption, it may not account for all variables influencing cardiovascular risk.
Conclusion
While the study provides intriguing evidence suggesting that moderate wine consumption could reduce cardiovascular risk in certain populations, experts caution that the findings should be interpreted with care. The study’s observational nature, potential biases, and the complex relationship between alcohol and health mean that more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be made about the benefits of wine for heart health. For now, the general consensus among health professionals remains that alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, carries significant risks and should not be recommended as a preventive measure for cardiovascular disease.
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