terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Moderate wine consumption – part of a balanced diet or a health risk?

Moderate wine consumption – part of a balanced diet or a health risk?

Abstract

Consumption of wine/alcoholic beverages remains a topic of great uncertainty and controversy worldwide.  The term “no safe level” dominates the media communication and policy ever since population studies in 2018 [1,2] were published, which denied the existence of a J-curve and suggested that ANY consumption of an alcoholic beverage is harmful to health. The scientific evidence accumulated during the past decades about the health benefits of moderate wine consumption, were questioned and drinking guidelines considered to be too loose. As a consequence, during the last few years, the upper limit of low-risk alcohol consumption has been progressively lowered in the national drinking guidelines. 

Although the authors of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study concluded in 2018 that it would be best for overall health to avoid drinking at all, the same GBD scientists in 2022, corrected their own previous data.  In their 2022 update [3] – different from the 2018 publication – the alcohol-related health risks in every country were considered. The results showed that the risks from the consumption of alcoholic beverages vary greatly depending on the disease, age and region. Based on these new results, a moderate consumption of wine/alcoholic beverages for individuals above 40 years of age can provide health benefits, such as a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The influence of moderate wine/alcohol consumption on health was described by a J-shaped curve. Excessive drinking is always associated with an increased risk of death and various health risks.

What are the reasons for such contrary results and what is the practical significance of “global calculations” in both GBD studies?  What does it mean for the wine consumer? The latest scientific evidence of moderate wine consumption in the context a healthy lifestyle and diet will be discussed, as well as how the communication of the Wine in Moderation initiative builds on objective scientific facts.

  1. Gakidou, E.,(2018) Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet, 392(10152):1015-1035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31310-2
  2. Wood, A.M., et al., Risk thresholds for alcohol consumption: combined analysis of individual-participant data for 599 912 current drinkers in 83 prospective studies. Lancet, 2018. 391(10129):1513-1523 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30134-X
  3. Gakidou, E. and G.A. Collaborators, Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020. Lancet, 2022. 400(10347):185-235 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00847-9.

DOI:

Publication date: October 19, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Ursula Fradera1

1Deutsche Weinakademie, Platz des Weines 2, 55294 Bodenheim, Germany

Contact the author*

Keywords

alcohol, wine, benefits, health risks, global burden of disease

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Phenolic extraction and dissolved oxygen concentration during red wines fermentations with Airmixig M.I.™

During red wine fermentation, the extraction of phenolics compounds and sufficient oxygen provision are critical for wine quality [1,2]. In this trial, we aimed at evaluating the kinetics of phenolic extraction and dissolved oxygen during red wine fermentations using the airmixing system. Twenty lots of red grape musts were fermented in 300.000 L tanks, equipped with airmixing, using two injection regimes (i.e., high and low intensity, and high and low daily frequency). An oxygen analyzer was introduced into the tanks in order to record the concentration of dissolved oxygen over time.

Evaluation of interception traps for capture of Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in vineyards varieties from Protected Denomination of Origin León

Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a pest in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the main Spain wine-producing regions with Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO). The action of the larvae, associated to the spreading of wood fungi, causes damage especially in important varieties of V. vinifera. X. arvicola females lay eggs concentrated in cracks or under the rhytidome in the wood vines, which allows the emerging larvae to get into the wood and make galleries inside the plant being then necessary to prune intensively or to pull up the bored plants (1). The objective of the study was to evaluate captures of X. arvicola insects in five varieties of V. vinifera in PDO León.

Effect of foliar application of Ca, Si and their combination on grape volatile composition

Calcium (Ca) is an important nutrient for plants which plays key signaling and structural roles. It has been observed that exogenous Ca application favors the pectin accumulation and inhibition of polygalacturonase enzymes, minimizing fruit spoilage. Silicon (Si) is a non-essential element which has been found to be beneficial for improving crop yield and quality, as well as plant tolerance to diverse abiotic and biotic stress factors. The effect of Si supply to grapevine has been assessed in few investigations, which reported positive changes in grape quality and must composition.

Association between dietary pattern and wine consumption and Alzheimer’s disease in a cohort from La Rioja (Spain)

Addressing modifiable risk factors is the most promising strategy to prevent/delay Alzheimer Disease (AD)[1]. The aim of the study was to establish the connections between dietetic habits, wine consumption and AD. Thus, 98 volunteers were recruited: 50 diagnosed as AD and 48 healthy/controls. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used for dietary patterns assessment and, based on these data, the Mind Diet Score was calculated. (Poly)phenol metabolites (especially derived from wine consumption) were analyzed by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS in 24-h urine samples to confirm dietary (poly)phenol consumption.

Grapevine cane pruning extract enhances plant physiological capacities and decreases phenolic accumulation in canes and leaves 

Vine cane extracts are a valuable byproduct due to their rich content of polyphenols, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds, which can affect and benefit the vine and the grapes. This study aims to evaluate the response of grapevine plants to irrigation with water supplemented with a vine cane extract, both at physiology response and phenolic composition in different parts of the plant (root, trunk, shoot, leaf, and berry).
Cane extract was obtained by macerating crushed pruning residues with warm water (5:1) and pectolytic enzymes. Two-year-old potted plants were irrigated with water (Control) while others were irrigated with cane extracts, either at 1:4 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:4) or at 1:8 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:8).