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Mediterranean Way of Drinking and Longevity
Attilio Giacosa1,2, Roberto Barale3, Luigi Bavaresco4
1a Department of Surgery , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|September 11, 2014
Summary
Moderate wine consumption, a component of the Mediterranean diet, is linked to increased longevity and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. This healthy drinking pattern, involving moderate wine intake with meals, shows benefits beyond alcohol
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Longevity Studies
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- The relationship between alcohol consumption and mortality often follows a J-shaped curve.
- Wine contains polyphenolic compounds like resveratrol, known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties.
- Moderate wine consumption is integral to the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing plant-based foods and olive oil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential health benefits of moderate wine consumption.
- To explore the role of wine's polyphenols, particularly resveratrol, in promoting longevity.
- To examine the association between the Mediterranean way of drinking and health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological studies, including the Copenhagen Prospective Population Studies.
- Analysis of the chemical composition of wine, focusing on beneficial polyphenolic substances.
- Examination of the Mediterranean diet pattern and its components, including moderate wine intake.
Main Results:
- Wine intake may offer a mortality benefit additive to that of alcohol.
- Resveratrol in wine may positively influence longevity by increasing Sirt1 expression.
- Moderate wine consumption within the Mediterranean diet is associated with increased longevity and reduced cardiovascular disease risk.
- Moderate wine intake does not significantly increase overall cancer risk.
Conclusions:
- Moderate wine consumption, particularly as part of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with enhanced longevity and cardiovascular health.
- The polyphenolic compounds in wine, such as resveratrol, contribute to its potential health benefits.
- The "Mediterranean way of drinking" — moderate, regular consumption with meals — is a healthy pattern that may confer significant health advantages.
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