Wine losing credibility

Drinking red wine and spirits may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing serum concentrations of the amino acid homocysteine, researchers in the Netherlands have found. Beer does not have the same effect.

In a crossover study of healthy middle aged men, drinking wine increased serum homocysteine levels by 8% and drinking gin increased levels by 9%. These levels of elevated homocysteine are known to correspond with a 10­15% increase in cardiovascular risk.

The 11 non-smoking men were placed on a controlled diet. They each drank mineral water or the equivalent of 40g of alcohol, in the form of beer, red wine or Dutch gin, with their evening meal. Over 12 weeks, the men rotated at random through three-week periods of each drink. Liver function was monitored with blood tests. The amount of alcohol consumed was considered moderate, and no carry-over effects or changes in liver function tests were noticed during the period of the trial.

The researchers measured homocysteine, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12. The team postulates that lack of elevation of homocysteine levels after drinking beer is due to higher levels of vitamin B6 in the beverage. The two major homocysteine degradation pathways are both B vitamin dependant. Vitamin B6 itself has previously been shown to be inversely proportional to cardiovascular disease risk, so the authors speculate that beer could well have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk by maintaining low homocysteine levels and increasing vitamin B6.

Although medical students who are beer drinkers may be encouraged by this news, the authors of the paper, published in the Lancet, stress the importance of moderation in all alcohol consumption. Decision making at the bar for the health conscious drinker is becoming more and more complex, with wine and beer vying for position as the "healthy" option.

Helen Morant, Clegg Scholar, BMJ

Van der Gaag MS, Ubbink JB, Sillanaukee P, Nikkari S, Hendriks HFJ. Effect of consumption of red wine, spirits, and beer on serum homocysteine. Lancet 2000;355:1522.

studentBMJ 2000;08:175-216 June ISSN 0966-6494