Does a Daily Glass of Wine Heart-Healthy?
“People shouldn’t think that drinking wine is good for you,” explains a consultant cardiologist. Alcohol consumption is associated with high blood pressure, hepatic issues, and digestive, mental health and immune system problems, as well as cancer.
Reported Cardiac Advantages
That said, studies have shown that a modest intake of wine could have a few limited perks for your heart health, according to experts. This research suggests wine can help decrease levels of harmful cholesterol – which may diminish the probability of cardiovascular disease, kidney ailments and cerebrovascular accident.
Alcohol is not a cure. The notion that an unhealthy diet can be counteracted with wine is flawed.
The reason lies in compounds that have effects that relax blood vessels and fight inflammation, assisting in maintaining vascular openness and elasticity. Red wine also contains protective antioxidants such as resveratrol, present in grape skins, which may further support heart health.
Significant Drawbacks and Cautions
Still, there are major caveats. A world health body has issued a report reporting that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink; the potential cardiac benefits of wine are eclipsed by it being a known cancer-causing agent, alongside asbestos and tobacco.
Alternative foods like berries and grapes provide comparable advantages to wine free from such detrimental impacts.
Recommendations for Moderation
“I’d never encourage a non-drinker to start,” explains the cardiologist. But it’s also impractical to demand everyone who now drinks to go teetotal, commenting: “The crucial factor is moderation. Keep it sensible. Alcohol, especially beer or spirits, is high in sugar and calories and can harm the liver.”
He recommends consuming a maximum of 20 small wine glasses monthly. Another major heart charity recommends not drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week (six medium glasses of wine).
The essential point stands: One must not perceive wine as medicinal. Nutritious eating and good living habits are the established cornerstones for long-term heart health.
