Wine lovers might want to consider slowing down on the alcohol. A new study has found that drinking a daily glass of wine could increase the risk of an early death by 20 percent.
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine recently conducted a study, published online in the journal "Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research," to evaluate the impact of light and regular drinking.
To do so, the researchers have analyzed data from more than 400,000 people around 18 to 35 years old. After analyzing the results, they found those who consume one to two drinks four or more times per week more likely die prematurely, compared to those who drink three times a week or less.
"Now we know that even the lightest daily drinkers have an increased mortality risk," Dr. Sarah Hartz, the first author of the research in the journal "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research," said in a statement obtained by The Independent. "Consuming one or two drinks about four days per week seemed to protect against cardiovascular disease, but drinking every day eliminated those benefits. With regard to cancer risk, any drinking at all was detrimental."
The new study contradict previous research claiming that consuming one glass of wine may help reduce risk for heart diseases, reduces the risk of stroke, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, and reduces the risk of cancer.
It was in June 2007 when researchers at Harvard Medical School found that men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only 52 percent as prone to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared to those who do not drink red wine at all.
Another study by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology, on the other hand, tested the effects of red wine on the health of blood vessels. After 21 consecutive days of consumption, they found that the health of the blood vessel cell was enhanced, improving the blood flow. Hence, consuming one glass of wine daily increases the health of the heart and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition to that, consuming one glass of wine also claims to boost the immune system, increases bone density, and improves cognitive function. It is said that the chemicals in red wine prevent the brain's neurons from dying off and as a result, it protects the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
