WIC scientific coordinator invited to congress in Logroño
The 2nd International Congress on Grapevine and Wine sciences took place from Nov 8-10 in Logroño, Spain in the heart of the Rioja region. Ursula Fradera, WIC Scientific coordinator, was invited as keynote speaker to this event, which welcomed more than 300 participants from over 50 countries.
This international forum aimed to discuss and present the latest developments in viticulture, microbiology, genetic approaches, biotechnology, enology, wine chemistry and sensory analysis. The Wine in Moderation message of moderate and responsible drinking as well as the scientific evidence regarding wine and health issues were also included and appeared to be of major interest for the multidisciplinary scientists and wine professionals who attended the event.
Ursula Fradera introduced the basic principles of the Wine in Moderation initiative and presented the latest scientific evidence on whether moderate wine consumption must be regarded as a health risk or can be part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
She explained that although the authors of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study concluded in 2018 that it would be best for overall health to avoid drinking at all, the same GBD scientists in 2022, corrected their own previous data. In their 2022 update – different from the 2018 publication – the alcohol-related health risks in every country were considered. The results thus showed that the risks from the consumption of alcoholic beverages vary greatly depending on the disease, age and region. Based on these new results a moderate consumption of wine/alcoholic beverages for individuals above 40 years of age can provide health benefits, such as a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The influence of moderate wine/alcohol consumption on health was described by a J-shaped curve. Excessive drinking is always associated with an increased risk of death and various health risks.
She emphasized that it is important to account for the various confounding factors (under reporting, smoking status, diet, body weight and obesity, physical exercise, social status, etc.), since the estimated average consumption of alcoholic beverages only provides an incomplete assessment of its effects on health. In summary, according to the best available evidence, light to moderate wine consumption with meals – preferably as part of a Mediterranean diet and a healthy lifestyle – reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and total mortality and does not increase the risk of cancer. She concluded with a cautionary note that the results of epidemiological studies generally do not apply to ALL individuals in ALL circumstances, and that risks vary between individuals.