The International Wine Day Perspective
Every 25th of May, the International Wine Day is celebrated, providing an excellent opportunity to reflect not only on its flavors and pairings but also on its impact on the body. For decades, wine has been promoted as a cardioprotective elixir, especially due to its resveratrol content, an antioxidant that has captured headlines and hopes for longevity. However, recent studies nuance this narrative: yes, wine can provide benefits… but only in very moderate amounts and for healthy adults.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a safe consumption would be one glass a day for women and up to two for men, but several countries have reduced this recommendation in recent years. In 2024, Canada even suggested limiting consumption to only two glasses a week to avoid risks associated with cancer, hypertension, and liver damage.
Potential Benefits of Moderate Wine Consumption
- Helping you relax due to the mild vasodilating effect of alcohol.
- Enhancing the perception of food flavors when accompanying meals.
Daily Wine Consumption
Potential Risks of Frequent or Excessive Wine Consumption
- Increasing stomach acidity and the risk of reflux or gastritis.
- Interfering with liver metabolism, especially when combined with medications.
- Generating psychological tolerance, where the glass no longer relaxes but becomes a habit.
The Key Lies in the How and With What
Rather than whether you can or cannot drink wine daily, the question should be: Are you doing it consciously, with food, in a healthy environment? Having one glass of wine per day, preferably accompanied by meals, without exceeding the recommended doses and alternating alcohol-free days, can be part of a balanced lifestyle. However, it’s not necessary for good health… and certainly not a miracle.
Key Questions and Answers
- Can daily wine consumption be healthy? Moderate consumption, defined as one glass a day for women and up to two for men by the WHO, may offer some health benefits when paired with a balanced diet and lifestyle. However, frequent or excessive consumption can lead to various health issues.
- What are the potential benefits of wine? Moderate wine consumption may help relaxation due to alcohol’s mild vasodilating effect and enhance the perception of food flavors when accompanying meals.
- What are the risks associated with frequent wine consumption? Risks include increased stomach acidity and reflux or gastritis, interference with liver metabolism (especially when combined with medications), and psychological tolerance, where the glass no longer relaxes but becomes a habit.
- How should I consume wine for it to be part of a healthy lifestyle? The key lies in being conscious about your consumption, pairing it with meals, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. It’s not necessary for good health, and excessive consumption can lead to various health issues.
