For wine lovers, it’s heartening news – drinking a glass a day could be more effective than statins at lowering the risk of heart attacks.
A study has shown that those who drink moderate amounts as part of a Mediterranean diet can cut the likelihood by half.
Although previous studies have suggested wine could have a protective effect on the heart, many rely on self-reporting.
But the latest is the first to measure consumption accurately from urine samples, which were provided by the 1,232 participants at the start of the study and again a year later. After four or five years of follow-up, there were 685 cases of heart disease, including heart attacks, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at the University of Barcelona found those who drank 12 to 35 glasses of wine a month had a 50 per cent lower risk than those who had no more than one, the study in the European Heart Journal reported. Statins cut the risk by around 30 per cent.
The heart-health benefits diminished for those who drank more.
Though, the findings come after the World Health Federation (WHF) said in 2022 wine did contain antioxidants, which have health benefits, but that studies suggesting the drink can be good for us are ‘observational’.
For example, moderate drinkers appearing healthier than non-drinkers could be down to the latter having had an alcohol problem.
 For wine lovers, it’s heartening news – drinking a glass a day could be more effective than statins at lowering the risk of heart attacks
Researchers at the University of Barcelona found those who drank 12 to 35 glasses of wine a month had a 50 per cent lower risk than those who had no more than one
Statins cut the risk by around 30 per cent whereas the study suggests those who drink moderate amounts of wine as part of a Mediterranean diet can cut the likelihood by half
Monika Arora, of the WHF, had said: ‘The portrayal of alcohol as necessary for a vibrant social life has diverted attention from the harms of alcohol use, as have the frequent claims that moderate drinking, such as a glass of red wine a day, can offer protection against cardiovascular disease.
‘These claims are at best misinformed and at worst an attempt by the alcohol industry to mislead the public about the danger of their product.’
Matt Lambert, of the Portman Group drinks industry trade body, said: ‘It is important not to exaggerate the risk of moderate drinking and unduly alarm responsible consumers who enjoy alcohol sensibly.’
Some of those who enjoy an occasional tipple have pushed back against ‘nanny state’ warnings such as that from previous Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, who in 2016 told the Commons science and technology committee that women should ‘do as I do’ and think about the risks of breast cancer every time they reach for a glass of wine.
Later that year she admitted she had chosen her words poorly.
