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

Is Drinking Wine a Day Really Good for Your Heart?

Contrary to popular belief, moderate wine consumption may not be as harmless as previously thought. According to Dr Oliver Guttmann, a leading cardiologist at the Wellington hospital in London, there is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe.

Guttmann's assertion may come as a shock to many wine enthusiasts who enjoy a daily glass with their meals. However, it's essential to separate fact from fiction and understand the potential risks associated with excessive drinking. Research has shown that moderate wine consumption can have small benefits for heart health, primarily due to compounds like resveratrol, which aid in blood vessel dilation and reduce "bad" cholesterol levels.

These findings are promising, especially considering red wine's antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the numerous negative effects of excessive drinking. Alcohol abuse has been linked to high blood pressure, liver disease, digestive problems, mental health disorders, immune system issues, and an increased risk of cancer.

In light of these conflicting results, Guttmann cautions against relying on wine as a means of balancing a poor diet or mitigating the negative effects of unhealthy habits. Rather than treating wine as medicine, he advocates for moderation – no more than 20 small glasses per month – in order to minimize potential harm.

While some may find it realistic to expect those who currently drink to completely abstain from alcohol, Guttmann suggests that complete abstinence might be unattainable for many. The key takeaway is that a balanced lifestyle should always take precedence over relying on wine as a quick fix or a means of self-preservation.

Ultimately, the World Health Organisation's 2023 report has cast doubt on the benefits of moderate drinking, declaring it a group 1 carcinogen alongside asbestos and tobacco. Instead, foods rich in antioxidants like berries and grapes can provide similar heart health benefits without the associated risks.

I'm all about being real here ... I mean, what's with our society's obsession with wine? People have been drinking it for centuries, thinking it's good for them, but is it really? I think we've just gotten too comfortable with the idea that a daily glass or two won't kill us. Newsflash: there's no level of alcohol consumption that's completely safe!

And let's be real, most of us aren't drinking wine for its health benefits – we're drinking it because we enjoy it . So why are we relying on it as a crutch to fix our diet or lifestyle? It's not worth the risks, if you ask me. I'd rather take my chances with some berries and grapes ... at least those don't have a hangover attached!

I'm not buying into this daily wine thing . I mean, sure, resveratrol is cool and all, but there's a big difference between moderate drinking and daily sipping. 20 small glasses per month? That's still a lot of booze, if you ask me. And let's be real, most people can't even keep that up consistently. Plus, have you seen the risks associated with excessive drinking? It's like we're playing with fire here. I'd rather get my antioxidants from berries or dark chocolate than risk my liver and heart health over a daily glass of wine. Moderation is key, but what if it's just not realistic for everyone? Shouldn't we be focusing on making healthier lifestyle choices instead of relying on a quick fix like wine?

I'm totally with Dr Guttmann on this one . People need to stop relying on wine as some kind of magic pill for their heart health. I mean, sure, it's got some good stuff in it, but all that stuff comes at a cost. Like, have you seen the state of people who are heavy drinkers? They're not exactly glowing with good health, if you know what I mean .

And let's be real, everyone knows someone who can't put down a bottle (or three) and still manages to function on a daily basis. So, claiming that there's no level of consumption that's safe? Yeah, that sounds about right to me . I'm not saying we should all just quit drinking wine cold turkey or anything... but maybe, just maybe, we should start thinking of it as more than just a tasty drink .

I gotta say, I'm really surprised by this news . I've always thought wine was a bit of a superfood for your heart, but it sounds like it's not all sunshine and rainbows . I mean, 20 small glasses per month is still a lot of drinking if you ask me...and what's the deal with moderation? It feels like that's just code for "drinking to feel better, but still getting drunk" .

And don't even get me started on the World Health Organisation's report – carcinogen? That's some serious stuff . I'm all about balance and self-care, but if wine is actually bad for you...then what's the point of even drinking it? Shouldn't we be focusing on real foods that are good for us instead of something that might be doing more harm than good?

I mean I've heard wine is good for you before but now I'm thinking maybe that's just an old wives tale? If moderate drinking isn't safe then what's the harm in just having one glass with dinner every day? And can we really trust some doctor who says no level of drinking is okay? I mean if you're already a heavy drinker then cutting it out cold turkey might be hard. Can't we just cut down on the other stuff that's bad for us and have a glass of wine instead? But at the same time, I don't want to end up with some liver disease or whatever. Ugh, my head is spinning. Maybe I'll stick to berries like they say?

omg this is crazy info i mean we all know wine is good for us in moderation right but to hear that there's no safe level of drinking is wild guttmann makes some valid points tho about relying on wine as a way out but isn't it cool how berries and grapes can give us similar benefits without the risks? like who needs wine when you have nature's own medicine

I mean have you guys ever noticed how wine trends just keep coming back? Like we're always supposed to be sipping on a glass of red or white to feel healthy... But honestly, it's kinda scary that there isn't really a safe level for drinking? I love my daily glass as much as the next person, but if 20 glasses per month is the magic number then what's the point? And let's be real, most of us aren't going to stick to just wine and veggies . Maybe we should just focus on eating more berries and grapes instead of drinking them?

idk about this one... i mean i've always had a glass or two with dinner but never thought twice about it ... sounds like maybe we were wrong to think wine was harmless after all? Guttmann's point about not relying on it as a solution is valid tho, i guess. 20 small glasses a month sounds kinda doable for me... what's the alternative though?

I'm sipping on some green tea while reading this . I think the idea that there's no level of alcohol consumption that's safe is a bit overwhelming. I mean, wine is fun and all, but it's not like we're going to start pouring ourselves into tiny glasses every hour or anything . The research on resveratrol is cool, but I'm still not convinced that wine is the magic bullet for heart health. And let's be real, what's a "small glass" anyway? Is it 5ml or 50ml?

I also love how Dr Guttmann says moderation is key – no more than 20 glasses a month. That sounds like a reasonable amount to me, but I guess it depends on your size and drinking habits . And I agree that a balanced lifestyle should always come first. Foods like berries and grapes are great for heart health without the risks of excessive drinking.

I'm just glad we're having this conversation, because the World Health Organisation's report was pretty alarming . It's time to think about our health in a more holistic way – not just relying on one drink or food to fix everything

I mean, come on! Drinking wine every day thinking it's gonna be good for your heart? It's just not that simple! I've been following this story, and now Dr Guttmann is saying there's no safe level of drinking? That's wild! I'm all about balance, you know? Having a glass or two with dinner can be okay, but relying on wine to fix everything else? No way, José! It's like thinking that a salad with bacon bits is healthy just because it's got some greens in there... Not buying it!

idk about this news , i mean wine was always marketed as good for u, but now its more like moderate consumption is all we can rely on? 20 small glasses a month sounds kinda unrealistic to me . whats wrong with just cutting back or finding other ways to relax instead of relying on booze? and btw did u know that the WHO actually declared red wine a carcinogen last year? i guess the party's over for wine lovers

I'm kinda surprised by this news! Drinking wine daily might not be as safe as we thought . I mean, I love a good glass of red or white with dinner, but now I'm thinking twice about it . Research shows that resveratrol can help with blood vessel dilation and cholesterol levels, which is cool . But on the flip side, excessive drinking has serious negative effects like high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer risk... not good . So yeah, I'm gonna stick to a glass or two at max . Foods rich in antioxidants like berries and grapes are great alternatives too! Who knew they could provide similar heart health benefits without the risks?

I'm really surprised by this new info . I always thought wine was good for you because of all the fancy compounds like resveratrol. But honestly, it's all about moderation, right? Drinking a glass a day might seem harmless, but we're talking 20 glasses in a month here! That's just crazy talk .

It's also interesting to see that the WHO is saying that moderate drinking isn't even good for you anymore. I mean, who knew? The thing is, there are so many other foods out there that have antioxidants like berries and grapes, and they're way healthier than wine.

I don't think it's realistic to expect people to just stop drinking wine altogether, but at the same time, we need to be aware of the risks. I'd rather see people focus on eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise instead of relying on wine as a quick fix .

omg u guys i was sippin on a glass of wine last nite thinking its good 4 me but now im all confused lol just read this article about cardiologist saying no level of drinking is safe btw 20 glasses per month sounds like a lotta wine to me i mean id rather have a balanced diet and exercise than rely on wine 2 cme through

I'm not sure if I'd want to cut back on my daily glass of wine now ... I mean, what's a healthy dose of red stuff going to hurt? And have you seen those antioxidants in berries and grapes? That sounds like just as good, maybe even better! But, I guess Dr Guttmann makes some points about excessive drinking being bad. My friend's cousin's brother-in-law has liver disease from drinking too much... yeah, that doesn't sound fun . So, what's the deal with 20 small glasses per month? Is that even possible to track? And how do you know it won't just lead to... more drinking?

I'm kinda surprised by this news tbh . I've always enjoyed a glass of wine with my dinner, but now I'm not so sure if it's really worth it for my heart . I mean, 20 small glasses per month sounds like a lot to me! And what about all the other negative effects of excessive drinking? I thought moderation was key, but it seems that even moderate drinking can have some risks . Maybe I'll start incorporating more antioxidant-rich foods into my diet instead, like berries and grapes . It's good to know that there are healthier alternatives out there!

I dont think wine is good for your heart at all, I mean, weve heard that moderate consumption has small benefits but what about the downsides? Guttmann says there's no safe level of drinking and i agree with him - 20 glasses a month sounds crazy! Whats really worrying me is the cancer thing, i remember my grandma used to drink a lot and she died from liver disease. I think we should focus on eating healthy food like berries and grapes instead. And what about people who cant cut down on drinking? its not always easy for them.

I mean, I get why wine seems like a good idea for your heart, but let's not forget that there are some major downsides to drinking daily. Like, have you seen all those crazy things that happen when people overdo it? Blood pressure issues, liver problems... it's not worth the risk, if you ask me . And honestly, I think we're being a bit naive thinking that just because something has antioxidants in it, it's automatically good for us. There's so much more to life than wine and berries . We should be focusing on eating whole foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep instead of trying to find magic potions like wine to fix our lifestyles .

I cant believe whats goin on with wine & our bodies , research is showin that its not just about moderation lol, some doc says there is no safe level of drinkin , what if they told us 1 beer a day can give you cancer? I'm all for the antioxidants in red wine but come on we cant rely on drinkin to fix everything , gotta make some lifestyle changes or somethin