Is Red Wine Healthy For My Heart?

You may have heard that red wine is good for heart health as it contains antioxidants like resveratrol, which studies suggest confer benefits on cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Other studies also suggest an association between light or moderate drinking (especially red wine) and health benefits.

However, one should not start drinking for any potential health benefits as there is still insufficient evidence to warrant such a recommendation. The amount of resveratrol intake required to obtain favourable health effects remains debatable. Likely, the quantity of resveratrol present in a standard serving of wine is unable to confer protective health benefits.

In addition, it is unclear if other factors, such as healthier eating habits and regular exercise, are influencing the positive outcomes in these studies. To date, no research has established a direct cause-and-effect relationship between alcohol and better heart health. More robust clinical trials must be conducted to establish the cause and effect of alcohol intake.

One should also be cautious that excessive drinking can lead to a whole host of health problems, such as the increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, liver damage and adverse effects on our heart health.

Recommendations:

It is advisable not to start drinking for health benefits if you have not. But if you do drink, consume in moderation and limit when possible.

It is recommended that women keep to no more than one standard drink a day and men keep to two drinks a day. One standard alcoholic drink is equivalent to ⅔ can of beer (220ml) or one glass of wine (100ml) or one nip (30ml) of spirits. However, this recommended amount should not be accumulated for single consumption. In other words, if a woman has not drunk for seven days, she must not take in a bottle of wine on the weekend.

If you wish to reap the benefits of antioxidants, go for colourful fruits and vegetables in purple, blue, red, orange and yellow shades, such as grapes, blueberries, raspberries, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and dark green leafy vegetables, instead of starting on that glass of red wine.

In addition, quit smoking and manage your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels by consuming a healthy balanced diet and being physically active. A wealth of evidence supports a diet that emphasizes fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lean animal protein, and fish for long-term health benefits.

If you are taking medications, seek advice from your healthcare provider about any other effects or interactions alcohol may have.

Article is contributed by Ms Natalie Yeo (Dietitian of the Singapore Heart Foundation) and Dr Mak Koon Hou (Board Member of the Singapore Heart Foundation, cardiologist in private practice).