Although we are all different, we all have our vices. For many of us, that vice is a glass of wine or two (or three). Whether it’s on a weeknight after a hard day at work or at the weekend with friends, a glass of red wine in particular can be a welcome indulgence.
There have been many myths floating around about red wine for decades. Drinking red wine in moderation is purported to have certain health benefits including boosting heart, gut, and brain health because it contains compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-improving effects, according to some studies.
Red wine is often associated with the Mediterranean diet, too, which is growing in popularity. The conversation has moved an ITV doctor to reveal the truth about alcohol and whether one glass of red wine is actually good for you.
Speaking on Lorraine recently, Dr Amir Khan took it upon himself to bust those myths surrounding your favourite Merlot or Cabernet. He explained: “There is no safe level of alcohol to drink. Even those 14 units recommended weekly by the NHS are limits. It’s a compromise, but ideally, no alcohol is better than some and I want to put a myth to bed here – that a small amount of red wine is good for your heart.
“That was actually based on flawed research… Red wine drinkers were more likely to be wealthier, more educated, more physically active, and eat more vegetables. Once those things were accounted for in future studies, the risks of drinking even a small amount of red wine outweighed any benefits.”
Dr Amir went on to explain the science behind alcohol intake and what happens to our body when we consume a glass of rouge. The findings are stark, not least because excess drinking can lead to a variety of potentially deadly cancers.
“When we do drink alcohol it’s turned into something called acetaldehyde by our body which damages our cells,” Dr Amir went on. “It also increases our hormones, insulin and oestrogen. Too many of them can affect cell division and increase the risk of a mutation and cancer.
“Alcohol has been linked to mouth cancer, voice box cancer, throat cancer, oesophagus, stomach cancer, liver, bowel, and breast cancer. So, we’re not saying you absolutely must not drink that is the recommendation but it’s about making an informed decision before you pour that glass.”
Viewers took to the comment section on TikTok to air their thoughts on Dr Amir’s words. One user commented: “I wonder if people stopped drinking how different society would be?”
Another penned: “It’s a poison. Will never understand the obsession with it… never touch it,” while a third chimed in: “Dentists say alcohol ruins your enamel, too. Also terrible for sleep quality.”
Alcohol is a leading cause of illness and early death in Scotland. In 2020, 1,190 people in Scotland died from alcohol-related causes. Where cancer is concerned, in 2021, more than 16,000 people died from cancer in Scotland.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Scotland.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our newsletterhere.