For years, there has been a perception that consuming small amounts of red wine can provide protection for heart health. However, current medical consensus emphasizes that there is no sufficiently strong health reason to encourage someone to start consuming alcohol for cardiovascular protection.
Professor Dr. Pham Manh Hung, Director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Hospital 19-8, emphasized that a glass of wine is not a magic solution that can neutralize the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, smoking habits, or an unhealthy diet. Based on medical evidence, alcohol consumption, even in small doses, actually carries the risk of raising blood pressure, triggering atrial fibrillation, and worsening pre-existing heart conditions.
Health experts refer to the principles of the World Health Organization (WHO), which state that there is no threshold of alcohol consumption proven to be completely safe for bodily health. The risk of medical complications is believed to continually increase along with the volume of alcohol entering the human metabolic system.
Instead of relying on alcoholic beverages for antioxidant benefits like resveratrol, experts recommend consuming fresh fruits, berries, and green vegetables, which are much more effective and safe. These natural nutrients, combined with weight management, regular exercise, and control of cholesterol and blood sugar, remain the primary prescription for maintaining optimal heart health.
For people accustomed to drinking wine, experts advise starting to gradually reduce intake rather than stopping drastically if they find it difficult. It is important to remember that a disciplined lifestyle is the deciding factor in long-term health, not the consumption of specific beverages whose benefits are often misunderstood by the general public.
