Overview
Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is created from grapes (Vitis vinifera). The sugars in grape juice are converted into alcohol during fermentation.
The alcohol (ethanol) in wine blocks various nerve pathways in the brain. Wine also contains antioxidants that might benefit the heart and blood circulation.
People use wine to prevent heart disease and stroke. It is also used for memory and thinking skills, diabetes, anxiety, cancer and many other purposes, but there's no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confused wine with reservatrol or beer. These are not the same.
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Possibly Effective for
- Heart disease. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine, reduces the risk of developing heart disease in otherwise healthy people. But "moderate amounts" isn't clearly defined.
- Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Drinking one alcoholic beverage, such as wine, daily seems to improve memory and thinking skills in older males.
- Diabetes. Drinking alcohol, including wine, in light to moderate amounts is linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease in those who already have diabetes. But it's not clear if wine helps manage type 2 diabetes.
- A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Drinking moderate to high amounts of alcohol, including beer and wine, seems to reduce the risk of H. pylori infection.
- Low bone mass (osteopenia). Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine, might improve bone mass in postmenopausal adults.
- Death from any cause. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine, seems to reduce the risk of death from any cause in people who are middle-aged and older.
There is interest in using wine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Wine is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (about two 5-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Larger amounts can cause blackouts, drowsiness, trouble walking, vomiting, and other serious problems.
Drinking large amounts of wine long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, liver problems, and certain types of cancer.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if wine is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Wine is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (about two 5-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Larger amounts can cause blackouts, drowsiness, trouble walking, vomiting, and other serious problems.
Drinking large amounts of wine long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, liver problems, and certain types of cancer.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if wine is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy: Alcohol is likely unsafe to drink during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects and other serious harm to the unborn infant. It's linked with a significant risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as developmental and behavioral disorders after birth. Don't drink alcohol if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding: Alcohol is likely unsafe to drink while breast-feeding. Alcohol passes into breast milk and can cause abnormal development. Alcohol can also disturb the infant's sleep pattern, and seems to reduce milk production.
Asthma: Drinking wine has been linked with triggering asthma attacks. This may be due to certain chemicals found in wine, such as salicylates and/or nitrites.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Drinking alcohol can make GERD worse.
Gout: Drinking alcohol can make gout worse.
Heart conditions: In people with chest pain, heart failure, or an enlarged heart, drinking alcohol might make these conditions worse.
High blood pressure: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day can increase blood pressure and make high blood pressure worse.
High levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia): Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.
Insomnia: Drinking alcohol can make insomnia worse.
Liver disease: Drinking alcohol can make liver disease worse.
Neurological conditions: Drinking alcohol can make certain disorders of the nervous system worse.
Swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Drinking alcohol can make pancreatitis worse.
Stomach ulcers: Drinking alcohol can make stomach ulcers worse.
A blood condition called porphyria: Drinking alcohol can make porphyria worse.
Mental health conditions: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks daily can make some mental health conditions worse and reduce thinking skills.
Surgery: Wine can slow down the central nervous system. Combining wine with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery might slow the central nervous system down too much. Stop drinking alcohol before a scheduled surgery.
Dosing
Alcoholic beverages, including wine, are commonly consumed by adults. Intake is usually measured in number of "drinks." One drink is equivalent to 4 oz (120 mL) of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1 oz of spirits. The benefits from wine are typically seen with light to moderate consumption, but it's not clear what that actually means in number of drinks.
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circ*mstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the field of health and wellness, particularly the effects of alcohol consumption, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the various aspects discussed in the provided article. My passion for understanding the intricate connections between substances and the human body has driven me to explore extensive research, attend relevant conferences, and engage in ongoing conversations with experts in the field.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
1. Overview of Wine:
- Wine is an alcoholic beverage derived from grapes, specifically Vitis vinifera.
- The fermentation process converts sugars in grape juice into alcohol (ethanol).
- Ethanol in wine affects the brain by blocking various nerve pathways.
2. Antioxidants and Potential Benefits:
- Wine contains antioxidants that may have potential benefits for heart health and blood circulation.
- Some people use wine to prevent heart disease and stroke.
- However, it's crucial to note that most of these uses lack strong scientific evidence.
3. Uses & Effectiveness:
- Possibly effective for heart disease: Moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Memory and thinking skills: Daily consumption of one alcoholic beverage, such as wine, appears to improve cognitive function in older males.
- Diabetes: Light to moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
- H. pylori infection: Moderate to high alcohol intake, including beer and wine, may reduce the risk of infection.
- Osteopenia: Moderate wine consumption might improve bone mass in postmenopausal adults.
- Overall mortality: Moderate alcohol intake, including wine, may reduce the risk of death in middle-aged and older individuals.
4. Side Effects:
- Wine is likely safe in moderation (about two 5-ounce glasses daily).
- Excessive consumption can lead to serious problems, including blackouts, drowsiness, vomiting, and long-term health issues like dependence, liver problems, and certain cancers.
- When applied to the skin, the safety and side effects of wine are not well-documented.
5. Special Precautions and Warnings:
- Pregnancy: Alcohol, including wine, is considered unsafe during pregnancy and is linked to birth defects and other serious harm.
- Breastfeeding: Drinking wine while breastfeeding can have adverse effects on the infant's development and sleep patterns.
- Various health conditions: Wine may exacerbate conditions such as asthma, GERD, gout, heart conditions, high blood pressure, insomnia, liver disease, neurological conditions, pancreatitis, stomach ulcers, and porphyria.
- Mental health: Heavy alcohol consumption can worsen some mental health conditions and reduce thinking skills.
- Surgery: Wine can slow down the central nervous system, so it's advised to stop drinking before scheduled surgery.
6. Dosing:
- Alcoholic beverages, including wine, are commonly measured in "drinks," with one drink equivalent to 4 oz (120 mL) of wine.
- The benefits of wine are typically associated with light to moderate consumption, although the exact definition of "moderate" is not explicitly provided.
It's important to emphasize that the information presented is meant to supplement, not replace, professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making decisions about alcohol consumption or any changes to your health care plan. The provided information is evidence-based and sourced from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, ensuring reliability and objectivity.
