Is Red Wine Good for Your Heart?

Can drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, such as red wine, improve the health of your heart? Earlier research showed that moderate drinkers had a lower risk of heart disease, leading some to believe that light alcohol consumption could help protect against heart disease.

Shady Abohashem, MD, MPH, a Mass General Brigham researcher, says that while the link between the two is complicated, any level of drinking—including red wine—isn’t recommended to lower heart disease risk.

“There are healthier, evidence-based ways to improve heart health, without the potential risks of alcohol,” says Dr. Abohashem.

How does alcohol affect the heart?

Alcohol impacts your body in different ways, depending on how much and how often you drink. In terms of your heart health, excessive alcohol use can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, and stroke.

Dr. Abohashem was involved in a study about alcohol and heart disease which found that light-to-moderate drinkers had long-term reductions in stress signals in the brain. These lower stress signals were associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes.

However, he emphasizes that the link between alcohol and health is complicated, and there are many studies that show the negative health effects of alcohol. For example, another Mass General Brigham study found alcohol intake increases your risk of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Any amount of alcohol use over time also increases your risk of certain cancers, like colon and breast cancer.

“So, it’s not clear that drinking any amount of alcohol improves your heart or overall health,” says Dr. Abohashem. “I encourage people to focus on healthy ways to reduce stress, rather than consuming alcohol for the purpose of improving their health.”

Is wine good for your heart at all?

There’s no solid evidence that drinking wine improves your heart health. While some studies have found that moderate drinkers experience lower risk of heart disease, it’s not necessarily a direct cause and effect.

In an effort to explain why moderate drinkers had a lower risk of heart disease, even when compared to non-drinkers, some researchers suggested that compounds found in red wine could have an antioxidant effect and protect against disease.

However, Dr. Abohashem suggests that other factors may be involved. Other research shows that light-to-moderate drinkers tend to live healthier overall lifestyles than those that abstain from drinking or from heavy drinkers.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has stated that more research is needed in this area, and it’s still unknown whether drinking is part of a healthy lifestyle. They recommend focusing on other healthy lifestyle habits, like exercising, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Red wine and resveratrol: Are there health benefits?

Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in wine. Some studies suggest it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure when you drink moderate amounts, but results are mixed.

The good news is you don’t need to drink wine to get resveratrol in your diet. This antioxidant is in blueberries and grape skin, so you can eat fresh fruit to enjoy the benefits of resveratrol without the negative effects of alcohol.

Red wine with the most resveratrol

Pinot noir wine has the highest concentration of resveratrol. Red wine has higher amounts of the antioxidant compared to white wine.

However, it’s important to remember that fresh grapes contain resveratrol. If you choose to drink wine, drinking in moderation helps prevent negative health effects from alcohol.

Does red wine lower blood pressure?

Since research suggests that resveratrol lowers blood pressure, some people may think that drinking red wine is good for their blood pressure. But the direct heart benefits are unclear.

Drinking too much alcohol causes high blood pressure. A recent study found that drinking even at low levels was associated with higher blood pressure, and eliminating alcohol was associated with lower blood pressure in both men and women. The AHA recommends that not drinking any alcohol is ideal for preventing high blood pressure.

Heart-healthy habits and lifestyle choices

Healthy lifestyle choices that have a positive impact on heart health include:

• More physical activity and exercise. Strength training is a great way to lower blood pressure, and even walking has benefits for your heart health.
• Less smoking. Get tips to quit smoking here.
• Healthier, plant-based diet choices. Adding heart-healthy ingredients to your grocery list helps you make healthy meals throughout the week.
• Good sleep habits. Sleep is important for many aspects of your health. Practicing better sleep habits may help you get more rest.
• Manage stress. Stress affects your heart health, so finding healthy ways to reduce stress—like meditation—can have a positive impact. 

What is moderate drinking, and what are the benefits?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends no more than one drink a day for women and one or two drinks a day for men. One drink is defined as:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 4 ounces of wine
• 5 ounces of 80-proof spirits

Dr. Abohashem explains that the relationship between alcohol intake and heart disease risk is not linear but exponential. This means that while every person can benefit from drinking less, heavy drinkers will benefit more significantly by cutting back.

The bottom line: Drinking any amount of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, but the risk may be low for those who consume modest amounts and more pronounced with higher levels of consumption.

How to cut back on alcohol

If you want to drink less, you certainly aren’t alone. Remember that any small change can make a big difference in your health, and try to give yourself grace as you find what works best for you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a few different strategies to drink less alcohol, including:

• Count your drinks. Keep in mind that a glass of wine at home or a cocktail at a restaurant may contain more alcohol than one standard drink.
• Set limits. Think about how much alcohol you currently drink, and decide how many drinks and days per week you plan to drink. It may help to schedule alcohol-free days every week.
• Manage your triggers. Do certain places, people, or activities tempt you to drink more than you plan? Consider limiting the time you spend with those people or at those places, and you may want to remove alcohol from your home or wherever you spend a lot of time.

Sometimes, drinking too much alcohol is a sign of substance use disorder. If needed, finding a support system can help you cut back on alcohol and take steps to improve your health. Talk to family or friends who support your decision to drink less, and you can also talk to your primary care provider for tips or resources.