Last update:
23-Jul-2008

Arch Hellen Med, 2000, 17(Supplement):57-63

LECTURE

The relationship between wine consumption and vascular risk
From epidemiological evidence to biological plausibility

G. de GAETANO, H.S. ROTONDO
Department of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Instituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche
Mario Negri, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Santa Maria Imbaro, Italy

Epidemiological studies have suggested that vascular disease morbidity and mortality can be decreased by moderate alcohol consumption. A meta-analysis has been recently performed on 19 of these studies, selected on the basis of the availability of specific information on the relative risk associated with wine consumption. The results strongly favour the protective role of moderate (up to 300 mL per day) wine consumption against the risk of vascular events. Although some cardioprotective effects of most alcoholic beverages are probably due to ethanol-induced elevation of HDL-cholesterol, lowering of fibrinogen plasma levels and, perhaps, of platelet aggregation, it is reasonable to speculate that the vascular protective effects of wine, observed in French and in other populations, may be attributed in part also to the antioxidant, vasorelaxant, and antithrombotic properties of its polyphenolic components.

Key words: Cardiovascular disease, Cerebrovascular disease, Polyphenols, Wine.