Wine and Longevity, A Comparative Documentary Research on Health Benefits

Over the past two decades, numerous epidemiological investigations have examined the relationship between alcohol intake and various health outcomes, including overall mortality, arteriosclerotic vascular diseases, hypertension, cancer, and age-related macular degeneration. These studies have commonly assessed health outcomes across different levels of alcohol consumption, comparing moderate consumers to total abstainers. Many such studies have demonstrated a relatively reduced risk for certain conditions among moderate drinkers, thereby supporting the notion that low-to-moderate alcohol intake, especially in the form of wine - may confer health advantages. Wine, particularly red wine, is notably rich in phenolic compounds such as resveratrol and flavonoids. These bioactive constituents positively modulate key biochemical systems: they enhance levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, exhibit antioxidant activity, reduce platelet aggregation and endothelial adhesion, and may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. The present study employed the method of documentary research, grounded in a critical analysis of pertinent scientific literature within the fields of medicine, nutrition, and public health. Although compounds in wine, such as resveratrol, exhibit anti-cancer properties in laboratory settings, these findings do not justify increased wine consumption for preventive purposes.