A new study has raised the possibility that a bottle of wine a week, combined with a Mediterranean diet, could offer heart health benefits similar to statins. While previous research has shown potential benefits of wine for heart health, there is also concern that excessive consumption can be harmful. Many past studies on this topic have relied on self-reported alcohol consumption, which can often be inaccurate due to measurement errors. To address this, researchers turned to a more reliable method, examining urine samples for a chemical marker called tartaric acid, which is associated with wine consumption.
The study analyzed data from a Mediterranean diet trial involving 1,232 older adults at high risk for heart disease. The participants followed a diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish, while avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks. Along with providing food and drink consumption details through questionnaires, participants also submitted urine samples both at the start of the study and one year later. After four to five years of follow-up, the study tracked 685 cases of heart disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular-related deaths.
The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, revealed that individuals who drank three to 12 glasses of wine per month had a 38% lower risk of heart disease compared to those who drank less than one glass of wine per month. This suggests that moderate wine consumption, when combined with a Mediterranean diet, may have significant heart health benefits, potentially offering a natural alternative to statin drugs for some individuals.
The results highlight the importance of the Mediterranean diet, which has long been associated with better cardiovascular health. By focusing on whole foods like olive oil, vegetables, nuts, and fish, this diet helps reduce the risk of heart disease. The addition of moderate wine consumption may further enhance its benefits, with the study showing that moderate drinkers had a notable decrease in heart disease risk.
While the study offers promising findings, experts caution that excessive alcohol intake can have serious health risks. Therefore, moderation is key to reaping the potential benefits of wine and diet changes. This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive effects of a balanced, Mediterranean-style lifestyle on heart health.
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