Wine: Healthy Habit or Deadly Dose?

Posted by Brandon Marc

August 18, 2008

The information available on wine and its role in human health is vast as it is ambiguous. Depending on what decade the data is sourced, one will discover that the conclusions declared differ somewhat.

For example, if one where to consider the American prohibition of the 1970’s, any medical texts concerning alcohol (wine included) were suppressed, and in some cases eliminated. The hand of politics in the scientific community, past and present, is evident.

‘Wine has no net health benefit’ – 1990 Dietary guidelines for Americans (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

Then there were the 1990 ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that stated: ‘Wine has no net health benefit’. A statement hardly based on scientific fact. The 1995 Guidelines were only slightly progressive by stating: ‘Advice for today: if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, with meals, and when consumption does not put you or others at risk.’ A feeble attempt, awarding little justice to the scientific evidence of that time.

So, now that politics have been cast aside (at least for now!), we are afforded a clearer view of what health benefits can be realised by the moderate consumption of wine.

‘It cannot be emphasised enough that over-indulgence can completely negate any potential health benefits, and prove to be considerably more harmful than abstinence.’

Without going into too much detail, and to avoid references to numerous scientific and medical texts, the modern conclusion that can be made is a simple one. Wine should be consumed regularly and in moderation. It cannot be emphasised enough that over-indulgence can completely negate any potential health benefits, and prove to be considerably more harmful than abstinence.

Personally I consider myself to be a moderate drinker… most of the time However, it seems that I am not gaining all the available health benefits when taking the point of regularity into account. It is recommended that you drink 2 glasses of wine, that’s approximately 440ml’s, every day to gain the maximum health benefits. There’s never been a better excuse to drink more wine! You must excuse me, there’s a bottle that needs opening…