Is it true that … a glass of wine a day is good for your heart? | Health

“People shouldn’t think drinking wine is good for your health,” says Dr Oliver Guttmann, consultant cardiologist at Wellington Hospital, London.

Alcohol consumption is linked to high blood pressure, liver disease, digestive, mental health and immune system problems, and cancer.

That said, studies have shown that moderate wine consumption might have small benefits for your heart, says Guttmann.

They show that wine can help lower “bad” cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney problems and stroke. This is thanks to compounds that have vasorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, helping blood vessels remain open and flexible. Red wine also contains antioxidants such as resveratrol, found in the skin of grapes, which may support heart health.

There are, however, major reservations. The World Health Organization released a statement in 2023 stating that no level of alcohol consumption is safe; the benefits of wine for the heart are offset by the fact that it is a group 1 carcinogen, alongside asbestos and tobacco. Other foods, like berries and grapes, offer similar benefits to wine, without these negative effects.

“I would never encourage a non-drinker to start,” says Guttmann. But he also says it’s unrealistic to expect everyone who currently drinks to consume alcohol, adding: “Moderation is key. Stay sensible. Alcohol, especially beer or spirits, is high in sugar and calories and can damage the liver.”

He recommends consuming no more than 20 small glasses of wine per month. The British Heart Foundation recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week (six average glasses of wine).

“Wine is not medicine,” says Guttmann. “I don’t want people to think they can eat poorly and balance that out with a glass of wine.”