Is a glass of red wine a day good for me? Surprisingly, alcohol does have health benefits! This concept is so important to grasp because alcohol is the second most commonly used drug in the United States ("Alcohol - What It Is and What It Does"). Americans need to educate themselves on the advantages of moderately drinking certain alcoholic beverages because alcohol is extremely prevalent in American culture. The American Heart Association recommends that if one drinks, they should do so in moderation, which means one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women (American Heart Association). The pros of drinking moderate doses of alcohol needs to be brought into the public eye. Coronary heart disease, commonly known as CHD, is the single most leading cause of death in many, if not all, westernized countries. Alcohol consumption and CHD correlate and follow a “J” or “U” shaped curve because heavy drinkers have the highest mortality rate, followed by nondrinkers, then lastly, moderate drinkers. The relationship between CHD and moderate alcohol consumption was first documented in the 1970s in California, and since then, there have been an abundance of studies conducted researching the effects (Group, Weinberg). The moderate consumption of alcohol has a positive effect on one’s heart and aids in preventing cardiovascular disease through certain components within alcoholic beverages. 

Throughout the world, there has been extensive research and studies conducted regarding the benefits that alcohol has on one’s health. This past November, a study found that light alcohol consumption does not increase one’s risk of developing coronary artery disease, which is the most common type of heart disease. Researchers in this trial used 1,925 patients with the disease who underwent a test called a coronary computed tomography angiography, which is used to look for plaques that are caused by the buildup of cholesterol. The participants in this study also reported on their alcohol habits, and 37% of the men and women said that they drink regularly, on average, 6.7 alcohol units per week (NYTimes.com Video Collection). Numerous other studies also conclude that moderate alcohol consumption does in fact reduce one’s risk of coronary heart disease. Notably, some research even says that the beverage type does not impact the findings whatsoever, but red wine has been a topic of interest recently. An example of another researcher would be the Weinberg Group, which is an international scientific and regulatory consulting firm, and they say that the most effective benefits take place in those who are already at risk for cardiovascular disease and in those who consume small amounts of alcohol several times per week (Group, Weinberg). One can conclude through this extensive research that alcohol has the power to positively impact the heart’s health and one’s overall wellbeing. 

Beneficial health and social effects of moderately consuming alcohol have been suggested for centuries, but most of the actual scientific research has been conducted recently (Group, Weinberg). Science proves that alcohol and wine directly prevent cardiovascular disease (Das, Dipak K, and F Ursini). There have been countless other studies published in science journals throughout the past several decades about how drinking alcohol is associated with reduced mortality from heart disease in certain populations. Some researchers link this finding to wine, especially red wine. It is commonly said that drinking a glass of red wine a day is good for one’s heart, and this conception is correct. The components, such as flavonoids and other antioxidants, present in red wine can be found in other foods as well, like grapes and red grape juice. These antioxidants provide an increase of levels in HDL cholesterol (American Heart Association). High-density lipoprotein, commonly referred to as HDL, cholesterol removes other forms of cholesterol from one’s bloodstream, and higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease (Mayo Clinic Staff). Therefore, the elements that come together to make up red wine improve one’s physical condition.

Research regarding the connection between one’s health and drinking wine or other alcoholic beverages is ongoing. One of the researchers who has shown great interest in this topic of study is Prakash Deedwania, who is the chief of the cardiology division and professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, and his thoughts on this controversial topic are that drinking a glass of red wine is good for one’s heart because alcohol protects one’s heart through increasing good cholesterol. The grape skin in particular is beneficial due to it providing the flavonoids and other antioxidant substances that protect the heart and vessels from free oxygen radicals, which are produced by our body but have damaging effects (American Heart Association). There is no doubting the science behind what makes up red wine.

On the other hand, drinking too much has many possible negative outcomes. For instance, overdrinking increases dangers such as alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer, suicide, and accidents. The cardiovascular risks include increased levels of some fats in the blood, high blood pressure, heart failure, and a large risk of developing diabetes because of an increased caloric intake. Likewise, excessive drinking and binge drinking can lead to stroke, fetal alcohol syndrome, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. For heavy drinkers, statistics say that cutting back on their consumption of alcohol can help reduce their risk of stoke (American Heart Association).

These terrible risks mentioned above go along with abusing alcohol, but they must be formally addressed. The risks of drinking alcohol can be compared to the risks of medications seen on television commercials because they are unlikely to occur unless the user fails to be responsible with the drug. The positive effects of consuming alcohol outweigh the negatives as long as the drinking is done in moderation. The lines get blurry for moderate consumption though, due to the lack of a universally accepted definition. Moderate drinking varies by study, by author, by country, by gender, by age, and by beverage type; for example, the standard drink is around 8 to 12 grams of alcohol in Europe and about 14 grams of alcohol in the United States (Group, Weinberg). According to the American Heart Association, a drink is 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits (American Heart Association). Other ideas should be addressed as well, including drinking alcohol with a meal rather than on an empty stomach (Group, Weinberg). There is an abundance of factors that could affect one’s reaction to alcohol.

The only true argument that could be made against the moderate consumption of alcohol being good for one’s heart would be there not being a link whatsoever. Yes, there is an extensive list of negative effects that alcohol has on one’s health, but they only apply for those who “overdo it.” Someone who disagrees is Dr. Rod Jackson, an epidemiology professor at the University of Auckland, New Zealand; he argues that there is no link between moderate drinking and a reduced risk of heart disease because moderate drinkers participate in other activities that benefit their health, such as exercising (Jackson, Rod). Although this concept makes logical sense, it can be overlooked because the studies are controlled by encompassing a broad population.

There are numerous studies to argue each side of the debate, and some of those may not follow the unspoken rule of providing a broad testing group. For example, a new study from this past September found that drinking alcohol daily over a long period of time may increase one’s risk of arrhythmias, which affects the heart’s rhythm. According to the research, as little as one drink a day may enlarge one’s left upper chamber of the heart, which leads to atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem ("Alcohol and Your Heart”). The researchers analyzed the medical records of over 5,200 adults and were surprised by their findings. How could a small amount of alcohol be associated with the heart problems found? Well, the test subjects may have been dishonest in their responses, but the most reasonable explanation would be that this study was conducted in one geographical location, which would have a huge impact on the findings due to this being a factor in whether or not low levels of heart disease mortality correlate with drinkers. Other factors may have contributed to their heart disease as well, such as family history of alcoholism, heart disease, obesity, etc. 

The research being conducted right now has the potential to change America’s stance on alcohol. Could a glass of red wine someday be the treatment plan for a person at high risk for heart disease? In the future, will a doctor prescribe a person who has heart a disease a daily shot of alcohol? Heart disease is more prominent in nondrinkers than in those who moderately consume alcohol (American Heart Association). Consuming alcohol in moderation has a positive effect on one’s heart and aids in preventing cardiovascular disease, specifically coronary heart disease. It is satisfying to discover that there are other simple ways to live a healthy life rather than eating well and exercising. Adding a glass of wine a day to one’s diet is going to save lives. 
