Wine May Protect the Heart, but Other Drinks Raise Death Risks

A new study has found that not all alcoholic drinks carry the same health risks. Researchers discovered that moderate wine consumption could lower the chance of dying from heart disease, while other drinks showed no such benefit. The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting. The study analysed health records from over 340,000 British adults tracked between 2006 and 2022. Participants' drinking habits were measured using standard definitions: a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits.

Results showed that moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease than those who rarely or never drank. However, spirits, beer, and cider—even in low to moderate amounts—were linked to a 9% higher risk of death compared to non-drinkers. Heavy drinkers faced even greater dangers, with a 36% higher chance of dying from cancer and a 14% higher risk of heart disease.

The study also noted that drinking wine with meals and among people with healthier lifestyles appeared to reduce risks further. Zhangling Chen, MD, PhD, a professor at Second Xiangya Hospital in China and the senior author, highlighted that both the type of drink and consumption patterns matter.

These findings come as the World Health Organization recently updated its alcohol guidelines. The WHO now states that zero alcohol is the safest level, moving away from earlier advice that allowed moderate daily intake. The research suggests that wine, particularly when consumed moderately with food, may offer some protective effects against heart disease. Other alcoholic drinks, however, did not show the same benefits and were associated with higher mortality risks. The study adds to ongoing discussions about alcohol guidelines and public health recommendations.