Wine Information Council
10 may 2025
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A glass of wine with my dinner? A narrative

The topic of alcohol consumption continues to be of great interest some 30 years on from the French PARADOX. This topic, rather than becoming clearer for consumers, is now increasingly controversial for scientists and consumers alike. In 1992, Renaud and de Lorgeril were the first researchers to suggest that wine consumed with meals is associated with cardiovascular health benefits. This was later extended to include health benefits for other aging-associated diseases and was duly translated into reducing risk from all-cause mortality. Described as J-shaped, this relationship is only observed when alcoholic beverages such as wine, are consumed moderately, generally considered as approximately 20 g per day for adult men and women. Over the last few years, however, the term ‘no safe level’ has crept into public health language and rhetoric, which suggests to consumers that not consuming any alcoholic beverage, with or without a meal, is the best option for their health. Accordingly, alcohol drinking guidelines and policies have been modified. Has scientific evidence changed or is it merely a change in scientific and public health perception? What happened to the extensive research about the beneficial effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, which includes moderate wine consumption as part of a meal? This paper explores the scientific evidence for
including moderate wine consumption within a Mediterranean-style diet and lifestyle.

Additional Info

  • Authors

    Stockley C.; Boban M.; Teissedre P.

  • Issue

    Periodical: J Epidemiol Public Health - Volume: 3 - Number: 2 - Edition: June 27, 2025

  • Published Date

    10 may 2025

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