Is Wine Actually Good for Your Heart?

Or is that just a myth?

Author

Yasmine S. Ali, MD
July 31, 2024

Hello again!

I’m back with your weekly dose of heart-health news!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to lock in the lower rate for Premium subscriptions to this newsletter! Beginning tomorrow, Aug. 1, rates will increase for both monthly and annual new subscriptions. Current Premium subscribers will NOT see any rate increase, so be sure to lock yours in today!

When you upgrade to Premium now, you will get:

  • Exclusive, bonus content in every issue

  • A “happy heart challenge” in every issue

  • Special, Premium-only discounts on products and services

  • A FREE health guide (e-book) when you sign up

  • FREE future health guides (e-books) as soon as they’re released

  • Special Premium giveaways

In this issue, we’re taking a close look at whether or not wine (or any other form of alcohol) is actually good for your heart. Is this a myth that has been perpetuated for years and years? See below to find out …

To your health,

Yasmine S. Ali, MD

Heart-Health News: The Highlights

Why scientific support for alcohol’s health benefits is fading

Research exposes flaws of older, often industry-funded studies and finds lowest mortality risk in lifelong abstainers

www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/27/why-scientific-support-for-alcohols-health-benefits-is-fading

Moderate drinking not better for health than abstaining, analysis suggests

Scientists say flaws in previous research mean health benefits from alcohol were exaggerated

www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/25/moderate-drinking-not-better-for-health-than-abstaining-analysis-suggests

No, moderate drinking isn’t good for your health

The Washington Post: Despite a long-held belief that moderate amounts of alcohol are good for you, a sweeping new analysis find that the more you drink, the higher your risk of early death.

www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/03/31/moderate-drinking-alcohol-wine-risks

My Take:

Well, I think you can guess the answer just from reading the headlines! Over the past several years, the myth of “alcohol is good for your heart” has been busted repeatedly by scientific studies and analyses, and now it’s been confirmed yet again this month.

For several decades, as I’m sure you know, it was thought that wine—and red wine, in particular—was good for your heart, but now we know that those studies were seriously flawed. In fact, not only can alcohol damage heart muscle and other heart cells, it has been clearly associated with higher rates of mouth and throat cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and even premature death.

These health dangers from alcohol are so significant that the World Health Organization issued a statement last year that “No level of alcohol is safe for our health”:

No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health

The risks and harms associated with drinking alcohol have been systematically evaluated over the years and are well documented.

www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

So, the current advice among preventive cardiologists is as follows:

“If you don’t drink, don’t start. If you do drink, drink less.”

For instance, if you enjoy a glass of champagne or wine at a celebration every now and then, you’re lessening the risk to your health, as opposed to having a glass of wine every night. (This applies to all other forms of alcohol as well.)

However, in terms of optimal health, just know that the latest studies have found that those who abstain completely from alcohol live longer than those who drink:

Alcohol and longevity: Moderate drinking brings no benefits

A newly published study contradicts the notion that moderate drinking could help lengthen a person's lifespan. The research found that moderate alcohol use brings no health benefits at all.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/moderate-drinking-does-not-boost-longevity-new-evidence-warns

Premium Content

Should You Skip Breakfast?

Which Meal Should Be the Largest One of the Day?

1:1 Coaching with Me — Special Offer!

Cooking with a Cardiologist: Spanakopita Egg Muffins

Your Happy Heart Challenge

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.

Become a paying subscriber of Premium to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.

A subscription gets you:

  • • Exclusive, bonus content in EVERY issue!
  • • FREE Premium Health Guides and Heart-Health Tip Sheets, as soon as they are released!
  • • Access to "Cooking with a Cardiologist," including restaurant guides, heart-healthy recipes, meal plans, cookbook recommendations, videos, and more!
  • • Special subscriber discounts on future products (e-books, workbooks, courses, webinars, live events, calendars, merchandise, etc.)
  • • Eligible for special Premium subscriber giveaways!
  • • Lifestyle tips and strategies with actionable advice for promoting heart health and cardiovascular well-being