To your health!

by Deane Morrison

From M, spring 2003

While visiting his ancestral village in Greece, Leo Sioris noticed several elders drank wine regularly, ate healthful diets, and seemed to be aging well. Lately, Sioris, an associate professor of pharmacy and oenophile (wine lover), has noticed a plethora of studies backing up his observation. In a seminar sponsored by the Center for Plants and Human Health, Sioris reviewed the evidence that connects wine and other alcoholic beverages to good health.

As early as 1926, physicians were noting that patients who drank had much less obstructed arteries than teetotalers, reported Sioris, and in one recent French study, moderate wine drinking was linked to a 40 percent smaller risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). "In another study," he continued, "moderate drinkers had an 80 percent less risk of dementia in general and a 75 percent less risk of Alzheimer's disease." Other studies link moderate intakes to lower rates of death from all causes and lower risks of several cancers, obesity, diabetes--because alcohol improves the body's sensitivity to insulin and lowers fasting blood sugar levels--and even the common cold.

Some benefits may come from antioxidants in alcoholic beverages--especially red wine. But does that mean red wine is the most healthful alcoholic drink?

"It's a complex subject. Several studies show a substantially smaller risk of CHD in moderate drinkers compared to non-drinkers of any type of alcohol. However, red wine has been shown better than white at curbing 'bad' cholesterol and inhibiting processes associated with blood clotting," Sioris said. Grape juice also has antioxidants, but there is scant data showing it has preventive health effects like those from alcohol.

For those who currently drink moderately and responsibly, Sioris has one word of advice: Enjoy.