Wine and blood pressure. So how is it?

You know it. Recommendations of our grandfathers who transformed their enjoyment into medicine - "red for blood cells" or "red for pressure" or even "homemade to burn worms".

Many doctors get goosebumps at these claims, since excessive alcohol consumption is one of the main reasons for the occurrence of various types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and brain disorders. Studies and observations, whether from health organizations, academic institutions, or the professional public often produce different conclusions.

These anecdotes have been circulating among us for generations, but the answer to how wine (and especially wine) affects blood pressure and the overall health of a person was not clear-cut. At least until now. Progress in the field of analyzing the molecular composition of wine has advanced tremendously over the past 20 years.

We know data, experiments, observations and studies derived from them that define this phenomenon in more detail. We also know that wine is part of the lifestyle of centenarians.

So how to approach wine and its effect on blood pressure and our overall health or longevity?

 

Alcohol is not a medicine

Period. The World Health Organization (WHO) clearly describes the risks that alcohol brings. From the increased risk of colon and rectal cancer in men, or breast cancer in women. Even though wine is a daily part of our lives, the claim that alcohol improves our health is misleading and untrue.

What increases blood pressure?

Before we look at the effect of (mainly red) wine on blood pressure and health, it is important to remember that a glass or two a day is only a small part of our lifestyle.

Below you will find several factors that negatively affect blood pressure:

• Obesity
• Excessive consumption of salt, salty foods, and lack of fruits and vegetables
• Lack of physical activity
• Stress
• Smoking
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and coffee (or other highly caffeinated beverages)
• Genetic predisposition

An active lifestyle with enough strength and cardiovascular activity, appropriate eating habits (e.g. Mediterranean cuisine), avoiding smoking and stress form the basis for our health.

If these pillars are observed, an occasional glass of wine can have a positive effect on overall well-being. However, low blood pressure is only one predictor of longevity.

According to the results of the study , a 10-year, cumulatively low systolic blood pressure is associated with an average life extension of between 4.1 and 5.4 years.

The phenomenon of Red Wine

Why is red wine associated with multiple health benefits? A 2023 study identified the polyphenols contained in red wine and their impact on overall health. In addition to the celebrated resveratrol, red wine also contains phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavanols, and tannins.

These plant compounds have antioxidant properties and are found in grape skins, stones and stems - mostly in red grape varieties with thicker skins, such as Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, or Pinot Noir .

They get into the wine itself through the process of maceration. A process in which grape skins are soaked in grape juice to extract color, aromas and tannins - and naturally also the polyphenols themselves.

Maceration is key in making red wine, as grape must is mostly clear-yellow in color (except for the "dye" varieties, which produce dark red grape juice). Red grape varieties contain up to 3x more resveratrol compared to white grapes, which is also multiplied by the longer maceration process.

Resveratrol as only part of the puzzle

Much has been written about the benefits of resveratrol . An antioxidant that helps prevent the development of certain types of cancer, prevents the growth of cancer-causing cells, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and helps in the fight against dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the dosage still remains questionable.

Current recommendations are based on the mathematical conversion of animal dosages, and the daily dosage should be in the range of 700-1000 mg/kg body weight of an adult. To reach this amount, we would have to drink approximately 500-2000 liters of wine. Daily.

After "processing" this information, perhaps many of us will wave our hands and say that wine and health simply do not go together. The opposite is true. Research shows that red wine polyphenols (not only resveratrol but also resveratrol) as a whole can reduce cholesterol absorption, improve lipid metabolism and protect against cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure.

Blue Zones and the French Paradox

In recent years, the so-called "Blue Zones". These are the areas in which the most 100-year-old people live per population. Sardinia, Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, or Loma Linda in California.

Studies of these zones and the lifestyle of their inhabitants talk about the four pillars of their lifestyle - physical activity, community, meaning in life, happiness and diet.

It is interesting that wine is a daily part of Sardinia in Italy and Icaria in Greece. Sardinians drink wine sparingly. Cannonau wine has two or three times the artery-cleansing flavonoids (and resveratrol) than other wines. Moderate wine consumption may help explain lower stress levels in men.

Is there a safe amount?

As Dr. Peter Attia says in ( interview with Tim Ferriss ), the founder of Early Medical, which applies the principles of the so-called medicine 3.0, the goal of which is to increase the quality of the acquired years and enable a healthy, active and independent life until old age:

Peter Attia, MD: "My approach to alcohol is simple: If I drink something that doesn't taste phenomenal, I pour it out! I will never tolerate a glass of poor quality wine."

Drinking wisely. Several studies ( here , here and here ) recommend a maximum of 2 glasses of wine per day for men and 1 glass of wine per day for women. Wine consumption should always be balanced with an overall healthy lifestyle.

Moderate consumption, meaning one glass a day for women and two glasses for men, can be part of a healthy diet. It is also important to pay attention to other factors that affect blood pressure, such as diet and physical activity.

When you decide to enjoy wine with dinner, or when sitting with family and friends, reach for a quality wine , ideally red, with no added sugar, and enjoy it while you enjoy the company and joys of day-to-day life.

Or reach for the Adventurous Reds tasting set from our offer, which, in addition to quality red wines from various corners of Europe, will also offer you an unconventional experience.