Wine May Be Healthier Than Beer & Spirits, Study Finds | Lower Heart Disease Risk Linked to Moderate Wine Consumption
Moderate wine consumption may be linked to a lower risk of dying from heart disease, according to new research published as more Americans cut back on alcohol consumption, a trend fueled by growing health concerns.
The study, led by Dr. Zhangling Chen, a professor at the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in China, analyzed the alcohol habits and health outcomes of 340,924 adults in the United Kingdom over a period spanning from 2006 to 2022. Participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires, allowing researchers to categorize them based on their alcohol intake – measured in grams of pure alcohol per day and per week.
The findings, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, revealed a complex relationship between alcohol type and mortality risk. While high alcohol consumption – defined as more than 40 grams per day for men and more than 20 grams per day for women – was associated with a 24% increased risk of death from any cause, a 36% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 14% increased risk of heart disease-related death, the impact varied significantly depending on the beverage.
Specifically, moderate wine drinkers demonstrated a 21% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who rarely or never drank. This contrasted sharply with even light consumption of beer, cider, or liquor, which was linked to a 9% higher risk of dying from heart disease. A standard drink is equivalent to 14 grams of pure alcohol, found in a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.
Researchers suggest several factors may explain these differences. Red wine contains compounds like resveratrol, a polyphenol that may offer cardiovascular benefits by protecting blood vessels and reducing inflammation. The study authors also noted that wine is often consumed with meals, and individuals who choose wine tend to have healthier diets and lifestyles overall. Conversely, spirits, beer, and cider are more frequently consumed outside of mealtimes and are associated with less healthy dietary patterns.
“These findings can assist refine guidance, emphasizing that the health risks of alcohol depend not only on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the type of beverage,” Dr. Chen said in a press release. However, she cautioned that “these results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular conditions, the risks could be even higher.”
The study’s methodology involved self-reported alcohol intake at the beginning of the study period, without tracking changes over time. Participants were drawn from the UK Biobank, a group generally considered healthier than the broader population, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
The research emerges as alcohol consumption in the United States reaches historic lows. In 2025, just 54% of US adults reported drinking alcohol, the lowest percentage since Gallup began tracking alcohol use in 1939. Average consumption among drinkers also declined to 2.8 drinks per week, the lowest level in nearly three decades. The American Heart Association does not recommend starting to drink alcohol for potential health benefits, and advises those who do drink to limit intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.