For wine lovers, it’s heartening news – drinking a glass a day could be more effective than statins at lowering the risk of heart attacks. A study has shown that those who drink moderate amounts as part of a Mediterranean diet can cut the likelihood by half.
![[Researchers at the University of Barcelona found those who drank 12 to 35 glasses of wine a month had a 50 per cent lower risk than those who had no more than one]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/01/93257453-0-image-a-65_1734484455732.jpg)
Although previous studies have suggested wine could have a protective effect on the heart, many rely on self-reporting. But the latest is the first to measure consumption accurately from urine samples, which were provided by the 1,232 participants at the start of the study and again a year later. After four or five years of follow-up, there were 685 cases of heart disease, including heart attacks, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease.
![[Statins cut the risk by around 30 per cent whereas the study suggests those who drink moderate amounts of wine as part of a Mediterranean diet can cut the likelihood by half]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/01/93257371-0-image-a-66_1734484459256.jpg)
Researchers at the University of Barcelona found those who drank 12 to 35 glasses of wine a month had a 50 per cent lower risk than those who had no more than one, the study in the European Heart Journal reported. Statins cut the risk by around 30 per cent.
The heart-health benefits diminished for those who drank more. Though, the findings come after the World Health Federation (WHF) said in 2022 wine did contain antioxidants, which have health benefits, but that studies suggesting the drink can be good for us are 'observational'.
For example, moderate drinkers appearing healthier than non-drinkers could be down to the latter having had an alcohol problem. For wine lovers, it’s heartening news – drinking a glass a day could be more effective than statins at lowering the risk of heart attacks.
