Wine is good for your health if consumed in moderation and within the per diem expenses
Moderate consumption within this per diem expenses mortality by 33%, according to a study led by the University, with more than 18,000 participants.
PhotoManuelCastells/
20 | 02 | 2026
Moderate wine consumption in people who closely follow the per diem expenses reduces mortality by up to 33%. This is one of the conclusions of a study published in the European Heart Journal, reference letter journal reference letter Europe, and led by researchers from the Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Navarra in collaboration with the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona. At the same time, the work that the possible favorable effect of wine on cardiovascular health and mortality is not universal or independent of context.
The main scientific novelty of this work that, for the first time, it analyzes the role of wine separately within the patron saint , making it possible to distinguish whether the potential benefit is due to this beverage, other alcoholic beverages, or the diet as a whole. The research data two large Spanish cohorts: thePREDIMED essay ("Prevention with per diem expenses ) and the SUN study ("University of Navarra Follow-up"). Together, more than 18,000 people have been followed for over 20 years to assess the relationship between adherence to the per diem expenses —with and without wine consumption—and the occurrence of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, as well as all-cause mortality.
In the essay , people who closely adhered to the per diem expenses , excluding wine, showed a 23% reduction in overall mortality. When moderate wine consumption was added to this patron saint —at least seven glasses per week, without reaching three glasses per day—the reduction in mortality increased to 33%, i.e., an additional 10%, and a lower incidence of cardiovascular events was observed. However, when consumption reached or exceeded three glasses per day, the benefit disappeared.
When analyzing PREDIMED and SUN together, the association with lower mortality was only maintained in those who met both conditions: high adherence to the per diem expenses and moderate wine consumption. "These results provide new evidence that the favorable relationship between wine, cardiovascular health, and mortality is context-dependent, and only appears in the framework a per diem expenses follow per diem expenses and low-moderate consumption," explains Dr. Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, first author of the study, Full Professor Preventive Medicine and Public Health the University of Navarra, and member of research center in network of Obesity and Nutrition network (CIBERObn).
A message of caution in the discussion alcohol
"Our data indicate that wine or alcohol in small doses are beneficial in themselves, but rather that, within a high-quality patron saint and in low or moderate amounts, a favorable effect is observed," says Dr. Martínez-González. The study thus questions the idea of a general protective effect of this alcoholic beverage and reinforces the importance of patron saint overall patron saint over isolated foods or beverages.
These results are therefore not a generic invitation to drink, but rather a validation ofpatron saint 'traditional Mediterraneanpatron saint '. Red wine does not act alone: its benefits seem to be conditioned by the presence of other beneficial anti-inflammatory components of the per diem expenses , such as extra virgin olive oil, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and nuts," explains Dr. Martínez-González.
The research conducted in partnership Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), together with professionals from other universities and centers within the Spanish National Health System. Much of the researcher team also researcher to the Institute for research of Navarra (IdiSNA) and CIBEROb, which is part of the Carlos III Health Institute. The study received public funding from the Carlos III Health Institute and the Government of Navarra, as well as a partnership food sector through the donation of olive oil and nuts within the framework essay .
The next step: UNATI
To provide more solid evidence, researchers have promoted the project (University of Navarra Alumni Trialists Initiative), the largest essay on alcohol consumption and health conducted to date worldwide. The study, developed in collaboration with more than 500 doctors from across the country, expects to reach 10,000 participants, of which more than 7,000 are already taking part in Spain.
UNATI will compare moderate alcohol consumption with abstinence to clarify whether the effects observed in programs of study are due to alcohol or other healthy habits associated with the Mediterranean lifestyle. The study is still open to new volunteers, men and women between the ages of 50 and 75 who consume alcohol regularly. In addition to analyzing cardiovascular health and cancer risk, the essay objective tests and systematic controls to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability of the data.
The project €2.5 million in funding thanks to an Advanced Grant from committee research ERC), supplemented by grants from the Government of Navarra, Harvard University, and the Carlos III Health Institute.
