Alcohol-free wine is just as good for your heart as the real thing, study finds

Alcohol-free wine is just as good for your heart as the real thing, study finds
Alcohol-free wine is just as good for your heart as the real thing, study finds

It has long been said that a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away.

But experts now say alcohol-free versions may give you all the health benefits of the real thing. 

Researchers Anglia Ruskin University analysed data from nearly 450,000 people aged 40 to 69 to look at impacts of moderate alcohol consumption on their health. 

They found a 40 per cent reduced risk of coronary heart disease among people who drank eight to 11 glasses of red or white wine a week compared to non-drinkers and binge drinkers.

The same reduced risk was found among those who regularly drank non-alcoholic versions. 

The finding suggests the benefits are due to the grapes in the wine, rather than the relaxing effect of alcohol, the researchers said. 

The link between drinking wine and reduce cases of coronary heart disease is likely due to the antioxidants found in grapes, rather than the alcohol in wine, researchers have found

The link between drinking wine and reduce cases of coronary heart disease is likely due to the antioxidants found in grapes, rather than the alcohol in wine, researchers have found

Grapes are high in antioxidants called polyphenols, which can improve the function of the inner lining of the heart and increasing levels of protective cholesterol. 

Drinking a moderate amount of beer, cider or spirits, on the other hand, was linked with about a 10 per cent increased risk. 

The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, which is around six pints of average-strength beer or 10 glasses of low-strength wine. 

 
How much alcohol is too much?

To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, the NHS advises men and women not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.

A unit of alcohol is 8g or 10ml of pure alcohol, which is about:

half a pint of lower to normal-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6%) a single small shot measure (25ml) of spirits (25ml, ABV 40%)

A small glass (125ml, ABV 12%) of wine contains about 1.5 units of alcohol.

But the NHS warns the risk to your health is increased by drinking any amount of alcohol on a regular basis. 

Short-term risks include injury, violent behaviour and alcohol poisoning.

Long-term risks include heart and liver disease, strokes, as well as liver,

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