STORY BY

Gretchen Truitt

“If anybody orders Merlot, I’m leaving,” oenophile Miles threatens in the movie Sideways. Medical statistics of late might argue with him. Dr. L. Maximilian Buja, a professor in pathology and vice president of Academic Affairs for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, reports significant evidence that any red wine is beneficial to health...yes, including Merlot.

Alcoholic beverages have received much press coverage, and often to mixed reviews regarding their health benefits.  Wine, however, in appropriate doses, seems to remain steadfastly a plus.

Many questions arise: What is special about red wine? Why not white? Here is what we found from Dr. Buja:

Q: Do other forms of alcohol benefit health to the same extent as wine?
A: Although not clear-cut, evidence suggests that mild to moderate consumption of alcohol can have health benefits. However, some studies show that wine is especially effective. Dr. Morten Gronbaek, a noted student of wine and health with many articles on the subject under his belt, says in Annals of Internal Medicine, (Vol. 133, pg. 411-419) that wine is more protective than beer or heavy liquor.

Q: Why is red singled out over white wine?
A: Because of the combination of alcohol and certain materials contained in the grape skin: polyphenol compounds, flavinoids, and nonflavinoids. These materials appear to act as antioxidants and to contain properties that promote better blood vessel dilation.

Q: What specific health benefits are shown by drinking red wine?
A:
1.) Cardiovascular improvement with wine consumption is the most noted advantage, including a lower percentage of heart attacks among regular consumers.

2.) It appears to reduce the incidence of strokes and decrease the negative effects a stroke may produce in the brain.

3.) Some evidence even suggests that wine may have a protective effect on the gall bladder.

Q: Is there a difference in the effects of wine on the health of men vs. women?
A: Statistics lean a bit toward an increase in breast cancer in women who drink alcohol. This is not a large finding, but is consistent in studies. A woman who has a history of breast cancer in the family should consult her physician before embarking on a regimen of drinking wine regularly.

Q: How much is enough? How much is excessive?
A: Studies show that drinking 1 to 3 glasses per day is ideal. There is a “J-shaped” relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of disease without it. The breaking point is 3 to 4 glasses a day. Below that amount of consumption is good; beyond that number of drinks actually worsens the effects it hopes to foster.

Q: What age group benefits the most from wine consumption—the young or the older?
A: The relationship in wine consumption and the above health improvement issues hold up better in older people. There is less effect on younger people. However, this is possibly due to the increase in cardiovascular issues in older people. And cardiovascular disease prevention is the main benefit of drinking red wine.

Q: Some people experience migraine headaches with the consumption of red wine. What should those people do?
A: Buja explains that this may be a possible allergic reaction that is specific to red wine—not alcohol in general, or even white wine. But he has seen cases where the migraine sufferer has tried a number of different red wines until one was found that would not produce a headache.

WARNING: IT’S NOT FOR EVERYBODY

Buja emphasizes that drinking wine for the above disorders is to be undertaken with consideration. Persons who are susceptible to alcoholism, liver disease or other conditions and persons taking certain medications should continue to avoid liquor. “Consult your doctor before starting this program,” he says, “it has to be individualized.”

Last Updated: 12-20-2005

Editorial Board | Legal Disclaimer | Privacy & Security | Contact Us

©2000-2009 Office of Institutional Advancement, UT-Houston