Gaby
Many people consider red wine to be almost the only ingredient that makes the transition to a healthy diet somewhat bearable. Now, however, it seems that wine might be crossed off the list of recommended foods in the Mediterranean diet.
Scientists have taken up the challenge. Commissioned by the European Union, they are set to determine the fate of red wine: does it belong in a diet that is marketed as healthy? Does a small but regular dose of red wine truly pose no harm to the body? Or is there a chance that even one or two glasses of this intoxicating beverage could ultimately lead to alcohol abuse?
It All Started with Debates on Safe Wine Consumption
The promotion of the Mediterranean diet’s benefits has long been accompanied by a debate over the safety of consuming small amounts of wine. Some researchers have argued that there is no safe amount of alcohol and that complete abstinence is the best approach.
The European Research Council (ERC), an institution that fosters scientific research in the EU, funded a four-year study involving 10,000 Spaniards. The goal was to investigate how moderate wine consumption affects health issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Leading the research is Dr. Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. He is currently studying public opinion (or perhaps trying to influence it) by publishing articles on whether wine should be excluded from the Mediterranean diet.
The ERC’s choice of Dr. Martinez-Gonzalez was no accident, as he has previously expressed concerns that people often do not limit themselves to just one or two glasses. While the scientist acknowledges that removing red wine from the Mediterranean diet could diminish its effectiveness.
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Red wine in moderation has always been considered one of the factors contributing to the longevity of Southern Europeans. The compounds found in grape skins help prevent heart disease, certain types of cancer, and dementia, according to the Daily Mail.
The Mediterranean diet, which prioritizes vegetables, fruits, fish, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil, herbs, and spices, traditionally recommends one to two glasses of red wine per day with meals.
P. S. Every year, three million people worldwide die due to alcohol abuse.
