The findings of a new study conducted on a group of Spaniards following the Mediterranean diet revealed that consuming a small glass of wine daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, or strokes by up to 50 percent.
The positive effect was observed among individuals over 60 years old who were at high risk for such conditions.
However, researchers noted that this protective effect was lost in individuals who drank more than one glass per day.
"This study explores the importance of moderate wine consumption within a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet," said Professor Ramon Strohm, a nutrition expert on aging and cardiovascular risks from the University of Barcelona and the lead author of the study.
He added, "Until now, we believed that 20 percent of the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet could be attributed to moderate wine consumption, but considering the results, this figure may be even higher."
Nevertheless, many experts are critical of the study's results, pointing out the known risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Tracey Parker, a nutrition expert from the British Heart Foundation who did not participate in the study, stated: "This research indicates that moderate wine consumption may lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but that does not mean one can drink a whole bottle of wine."
Related"It is well-known that excessive alcohol consumption harms heart health," she added. "Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and leads to other issues such as high blood pressure, dementia, liver problems, and certain types of cancer."
Another concern raised by experts is that many people inaccurately measure the actual amount of wine they consume.
A standard serving of wine is only about 120 milliliters, but many individuals consume more than that.
"People often say that wine is good for the heart, but we also know that excessive wine consumption is detrimental," said Paul Lison, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford.
This analysis is part of a larger study in Spain focusing on the impact of the Mediterranean diet on individuals at risk for heart disease.
It involved 1,232 participants who were at risk for various reasons, such as type 2 diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, or a family history of heart disease.
At the beginning of the study, participants were asked to provide information about their eating and drinking habits. Urine samples were also taken to measure the level of tartaric acid (a natural substance found in grapes and wine). The experiment was repeated after one year.
However, using tartaric acid as a marker for wine consumption is a matter that some experts view with skepticism.
"Changes in tartaric acid levels could be caused by other factors, including inaccuracies in participants' reports of wine consumption or the influence of other products," notes Kevin McConway, a professor of applied statistics at The Open University in Milton Keynes, UK.
Experts believe there are healthier ways to maintain heart health without the need for alcohol, such as balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.
Navid Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, emphasized: "I strongly recommend that people minimize their alcohol consumption for better health. The idea that moderate wine consumption is beneficial for health is a myth, and this article does not add anything new to our understanding."
The results of the new study have been published in the scientific journal ‘European Heart Journal’.