Dr Michael Mosley was well-known for his health advice before his tragic passing
The late Dr Michael Mosley once shared that a popular beverage can provide numerous health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and reducing your risk of diabetes. Prior to his sad passing, the specialist hosted a series on BBC Radio 4 called Just One Thing.
During the programme, he stated that a regular glass of red wine has been demonstrated to enhance cholesterol levels. The Radio 4 page explained: “In Israel in 2015, scientists took 224 teetotal diabetics and randomly allocated them to either drinking a medium-sized glass of red wine, a glass of white wine or a glass of mineral water with their evening meal – every night for two years. The red wine drinkers came out on top, with significant improvements in their cholesterol scores and, perhaps surprisingly, in the quality of their sleep.”
The advantages do not stop there, as some people who consumed red wine also experienced better blood sugar management, and it is claimed to be far from a “fluke”. It was further explained: “Another study from Spain showed that drinking red wine can improve your body’s response to insulin, resulting in an ability to clear sugar from your blood more quickly.”
If you want to reap the most rewards, it was recommended that you consume it alongside a meal, with the expert having noted that this “is much better for you than having it on its own.”
Diabetes
A long-term study following 312,000 adults for approximately 11 years found that drinking a glass of wine with a meal was associated with a 14% reduction in the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Notably, this benefit was seen only when the wine was enjoyed in moderation and paired with food.
Professor Tim Spector on red wine
Tim Spector is a Professor of Epidemiology at King’s College London. Talking on the show alongside the late-Mosley, he said the beverage has been shown to boost the microbiome, according to data collected from nearly 5,000 people: “What we found was that the red wine drinkers had a healthier, more diverse gut microbiome than non-drinkers. And generally, alcohol drinkers had worse microbiomes than non-drinkers.”
He explained the gut microbiome is one of the few aspects of the human body that isn’t shaped by genetics, but by environmental and dietary factors. In fact, evidence suggests “red wine might actually – in small, modest amounts – be good for our guts.”
Moderation is key
Doctor Tim Spector said people need to be careful. The founder of ZOE stressed: “We’re definitely not saying that alcohol itself is good for you” with him highlighting that the study showed that once you approach three glasses of red a day on average, you lose any benefit.
He added that one glass with a meal seems to be a sensible amount. “Looking at the studies, that would seem to be fine for most people,” he said. However, you should try to avoid large servings that you might find at a pub, for example.
“We’re talking about traditional French wine glasses where you’d get six to a bottle”, he explained. With this in mind, the doctor and professor said that if you choose red wine, stick to a small glass or two on a few days each week. This approach may support both your gut microbiome and your heart.
If you need advice and support, Drinkaware have urged people to seek support and check their online resources. They state: “We can help you learn about the impact of alcohol on you, your family or friends.”
You can also try the free services below for further help, whether it is about alcohol or another mental health issue.