COPENHAGEN: If you are a regular wine drinker then you are most likely to outlive your friends and relatives who drink beer. A recent study published on the online version of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) links the lower death rate among wine drinkers with healthier diets and lifestyles.
The study conducted by researchers from the Danish National Institute of Public Heath, was based on a comparison of checkout items purchased by Danish grocery shoppers. They examined the receipts from 98 outlets of two major Danish super markets. There have so far been many studies that linked health benefits and even longevity with drinking wine regularly. However, few have delved deep enough to study why wine drinkers enjoy better health.
The Danish team's step appears to be a step in this direction as they examined the dietary preferences and lifestyles of wine drinkers vis-à-vis those of beer drinkers. The report in the BMJ said their study found more healthful choices made by people who bought wine as their only form of alcohol. Their grocery purchases usually included fruits, vegetables, cheeses and low-fat meats and low-fat milk (a typical Mediterranean diet). Beer drinkers' grocery lists usually featured less healthful choices, such as chips, butter or margarine, sausages, soft drinks, lamb, pork, cold cuts and prepared dishes.
A more healthful diet complements a healthier lifestyle which in turn translates into less morbidity and therefore lowers the risk for mortality. To put it more simply - wine drinkers enjoy better health because they eat well, said Dr Morten Grønbæk who led the DNIPH team.
Dr Grønbæk said the results suggest that dietary and lifestyle choices and drinking circumstances contributed more in lowering mortality rate compared to the type of alcohol one consumed; although the high anti-oxidant content of wine is not to be overlooked.
They also observed that Danish people who regularly drank wine moderately, visited the doctor less often, maintained a good fitness routine, are well-read, even successful in their career; they were generally in better physical and psychological health compared to non-wine drinkers. A consumer profile based on their findings revealed a picture of contrasts. Beer drinkers were found to be usually young men, less educated and indicating a higher alcohol intake. Wine drinkers were found to be healthy, lean, educated and usually women - young to middle aged, who take their drinks in moderation. Other aspects such as physical activity, income and smoking did factor to some extent but largely in the same pattern as observed by the Danish team's study.
The results were broadly classified into four groups – wine only, beer only, mixed and non-alcohol purchasers. From the total receipts they found 5.8% purchased only wine with their groceries, 6.6% bought only beer.
The study is one of many that point to the many benefits of drinking wine as against other types of alcohol. The results matched those of similar studies conducted in the US and France. In May 2004 a study had found a special protein compound called 'resveratrol' from grape skins helped the body fight against cancer cells. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found largely in raspberries, peanuts, mulberries and grapes and is also sold as a nutritional supplement in the US.
