Is red wine a healthy choice? It is often referred to as having many benefits and a strong association with the Mediterranean diet. 

Red wine is not included in a traditional diet as it isn't an essential part of our nutrition and should be consumed responsibly and in moderation. A glass of red wine has been known to contain antioxidants, which bring a range of health benefits such as protection againts cancer-causing free radicals. However, as exciting as this notion sounds, there are many other foods such as grapes, berries and pineapples that provide an abundance of antioxidants without the negative effects of alcohol. 

There is some evidence that a moderate intake of alcohol brings a small reduction in heart disease risk. But this is not the case for other conditions, such as stroke and vascular dementia, and some cancers.

When it comes to the effect of alcohol consumption on heart and circulatory diseases it can be surmised that the risks outweigh the benefits, and drinking more than the recommended limits will have a negative effect on your health. 

It is therefore not a good idea to drink alcohol to protect your heart. These recommendations are promoted to guide safe consumption of alcohol and protect against various health and heart conditions.

A unit is 10ml of pure alcohol, so 14 units is about six medium (175ml) glasses of wine (13 per cent ABV) or six pints of lager or cider (four per cent ABV). You should also spread these units out and ensure to have some alcohol-free days, as binge drinking can increase your heart disease and stroke risk. If you are on medication you should also speak to your doctor about the effects of alcohol. 

Visit the Health Advice section to find out more on Alcohol and Heart Health.