Alcohol - Is There A Benefit?
Drinking alcohol moderately, judiciously, and responsibly can be beneficial for your health.
For those who enjoy occasional “adult beverages,” as I do (wine preferentially in my case), a 2018 study published in the Lancet concluding that there is no safe level of alcohol and the ensuing alarming headlines in the media should not be a show stopper. The risks of alcohol did not suddenly shoot up - we did not suddenly discover risks that we did not know about before; and the risks reported are not suddenly in the game-changing zone.
You can consume alcohol and live a long, happy life. We know from research on regions around the world with the highest longevity (the so called “blue zone”) that this is true: People in the blue zone areas drink alcohol moderately and regularly. The trick is moderation - one to two glasses per day with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all week and have 14 drinks on Saturday.
Longevity doesn’t have to mean a strict regimen of steamed vegetables and joyless meals. A healthy, balanced, and stress-free life includes happy hours, time spent with family and friends and the occasional glass of wine with delicious dinners.
Cardiovascular Benefits
People from the Italian island of Sardinia are known for their daily consumption of a robust, regional dry red wine - called Cannonau (a Grenache). Cannonau is very high in anti-oxidant flavonoids which are good for the arteries. Small doses of wine throughout the day may explain the fewer heart attacks and lower levels of stress among people in this region of the world. Another reason Sardinians may experience these wine health benefits is the how they consume it - most often surrounded by good friends and good food. Dry red wines in general appear to offer this health advantage - these include Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
mindfully Mediterranean
Wine in moderation has been shown to be beneficial if consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet, which is defined by a high consumption of beans, greens, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains, and a low consumption of meat, processed foods and added sugar. Following a Mediterranean diet, as part of a overall lifestyle, can be beneficial to your health. This, however, does not mean that drinking wine will somehow “cancel out” the negative effects of a poor diet (high in processed foods, saturated fat and added sugar).
Consuming wine with a meal can help the body absorb more of the flavonoids, the artery-scrubbing antioxidants, from the food eaten with it. One study among many others for example published in Advances in Nutrition demonstrated that consumption of wine as part of a Mediterranean-style diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers, perhaps helped by the anti-oxidants found in extra-virgin olive oil.
Food (Drink) for thought
Another important phytonutrient found in wine is Resveratrol. This is a polyphenol found in the skin of grapes, known to help lower the risks for cancer, heart disease, and dementia. In a published study from the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders in New York, researchers found this compound can reduce the formation of the plaque that is found in the brains of Alzheimer’s dementia patients. In another study published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, those who consumed alcohol at least once a week had significantly better cognitive function in old age than those who did not drink at all.
Live Longer, Better
In addition to the more focused studies sited above, there is research that backs up the link between wine intake and a reduction in all-cause mortality. Moderate alcohol consumption (especially when the beverage of choice is red wine) can help you not only de-stress and loosen up, but also live longer.