From the Guidelines
Red wine is not a recommended treatment for coronary artery health, and its potential benefits do not outweigh the risks of alcohol consumption for people who don't already drink. The potential benefits of red wine come primarily from compounds called polyphenols, especially resveratrol, which have antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and prevent blood clotting 1. However, the evidence is not conclusive, and several recent clinical intervention studies have failed to show a cardioprotective effect of vitamin E, a presumed antioxidant 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Moderate consumption of red wine, defined as up to one 5-ounce glass daily for women and up to two glasses daily for men, may have some benefits for coronary artery health 1.
- The American Heart Association and other medical organizations do not recommend starting to drink red wine for heart health, due to the risks of alcohol consumption, including hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, liver damage, physical abuse, vehicular and work accidents, and increased risk of breast cancer 1.
- Established heart-healthy practices, such as regular exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, are more effective and recommended for coronary artery health.
Recommendations for Patients
- If you're concerned about coronary artery health, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations rather than relying on red wine as a preventive measure.
- Focus on established heart-healthy practices, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can have serious adverse health and social consequences 1.
From the Research
Coronary Artery Health and Red Wine
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that red wine improves coronary artery health 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on various treatments and therapies for coronary artery disease, such as combination therapy with aspirin, statin, and blood pressure-lowering agents 2, revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting 3, aggressive lipid-lowering therapy 4, cardiac rehabilitation 5, and statin therapy 6.
- None of the studies mention the effects of red wine on coronary artery health, so it is not possible to draw any conclusions about its potential benefits or risks in this context.