News that scientists in Italy are working to develop a pill that would give the benefits of a glass of red wine, but without the alcohol, is further confirmation that alcohol consumption itself is not needed to reap benefits of wine's healthy ingredients,
News that scientists in Italy are working to develop a pill that would give the benefits of a glass of red wine, but without the alcohol, is further confirmation that alcohol consumption itself is not needed to reap benefits of wine’s healthy ingredients, says Dr. Peter N. Landless, a fellow of the American Cardiology Association and associate health ministries director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Adventist Church in its 150-year history has long discouraged the use of alcohol for health and spiritual reasons. Since the 1970s debate has raged over health benefits of alcohol versus nutrients naturally present in grape juice. Now, Britain’s “New Scientist” magazine reports that work is continuing on the pill, although no release date for such a product has been announced.
“We need to be honest,” Landless says. “We can’t deny that there are at least limited benefits from alcohol.” As he points out, though, while alcohol may have some positive effects on arteries, it has more “detrimental effects” on other systems in the body, including liver and brain damage. Similar positive effects on arteries can be acquired from flavinoids, which are nutrients present in many foods, including grape juice, where the proanthocyanidin is found.
“Addiction remains a catastrophic consequence of alcohol use, not to mention accidents and violence associated with alcohol,” says Landless.
“We do not advise the public to begin drinking to prevent heart disease,” said Claude Lenfant, M.D. in an interview last year, who at the time was director of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “There are well-proven ways that do not have the risks associated with alcohol consumption,” he said. These include lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, keeping weight in check, physical activity and smoking cessation.
Isolated cell cultures from the lining of the arteries have been found to respond positively to alcohol, no matter the source. Alcohol raises good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, and lowers fibrinogen plasma levels. Landless points out positive benefits in individuals exposed to polyphenols naturally found in unfermented grape juice. Polyphenols lower bad cholesterol (LDL), platelet aggregation (blood clotting), and open the arteries. They are also powerful antioxidants.
“But that’s just for arteries,” says Landless. “The study was done in a Petri dish—we live in the real world. Alcohol negatively affects other systems inside and outside our bodies.”
Alcohol, a potent toxin, impairs judgment “with even one drink,” Landless says. “There’s also evidence that one glass of wine a day in certain age groups of women contributes to incidents of breast cancer.”
The Adventist Church sponsors the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency of which Landless serves as the executive director. The commission holds seminars and issues publications aimed at combating the spread of addictions.
