Doctors in Italy have discovered that a daily glass or two of wine may slow biological ageing in men, but this benefit does not extend to women. A comprehensive study involving 22,000 participants reveals that men consuming approximately 200ml of wine per day were nearly six months biologically younger than their non-drinking counterparts.
Key Findings on Wine and Ageing
The research, conducted at LUM University in Casamassima, southern Italy, compared drinking habits with biological ageing markers. Biological age, which reflects the physiological condition of cells, tissues, and organs, is considered a more accurate predictor of disease risk and mortality than chronological age.
How Biological Age Was Measured
Scientists used artificial intelligence to analyse blood samples from both men and women, assessing 36 markers including hormones, fats, and inflammatory compounds. Results indicated that men who drank about 200ml of wine daily were around 0.4 years biologically younger than non-drinkers. For context, a standard small glass of wine in a bar is typically 125ml.
Why Women Do Not Benefit
Medics believe women gain no advantage from moderate wine consumption due to differences in alcohol metabolism and hormonal profiles. This gender-specific effect highlights the complex interplay between diet, biology, and ageing.
Role of Non-Alcoholic Compounds
Researchers suggest that non-alcoholic compounds in wine, particularly polyphenols, are likely responsible for the observed anti-ageing effects. These compounds have been linked to reduced inflammation, decreased oxidative stress, and improved metabolic functioning—all factors involved in biological ageing.
Notably, other alcoholic beverages did not show the same positive impact, underscoring the unique properties of wine. The Italian doctors, publishing their findings in the International Journal of Public Health, stated: 'This is the first study to examine the association between patterns of wine consumption and a blood-based measure of biological ageing.'
Lifestyle Factors and Ageing
The study also emphasises that lifestyle choices significantly influence biological ageing. Factors such as smoking and obesity are associated with accelerated ageing, while dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet—which often includes moderate wine consumption—are linked to slower ageing processes.
Conclusions and Implications
In their report, the researchers concluded: 'Moderate wine consumption, but not overall alcohol intake, may contribute to slower biological ageing in men. Components such as polyphenols are a plausible explanation.' This research adds to the growing body of evidence on how specific dietary components can impact health and longevity, though it cautions against generalising these benefits across all demographics.
