Overview

Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is created from grapes (Vitis vinifera). The sugars in grape juice are converted into alcohol during fermentation.

The alcohol (ethanol) in wine blocks various nerve pathways in the brain. Wine also contains antioxidants that might benefit the heart and blood circulation.

People use wine for memory and thinking skills, diabetes, anxiety, cancer, to prevent heart disease and stroke, and many other purposes, but there's no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confused wine with resveratrol or beer. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Drinking one alcoholic beverage, such as wine, daily seems to improve memory and thinking skills in older males.
  • Diabetes. Drinking alcohol, including wine, in light to moderate amounts is linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease in those who already have diabetes. But it's not clear if wine helps manage type 2 diabetes.
  • A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Drinking moderate to high amounts of alcohol, including beer and wine, seems to reduce the risk of H. pylori infection.
  • Low bone mass (osteopenia). Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine, might improve bone mass in postmenopausal adults.
  • Death from any cause. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine, seems to reduce the risk of death from any cause in people who are middle-aged and older.

There is interest in using wine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Wine is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (about two 5-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Larger amounts can cause blackouts, drowsiness, trouble walking, vomiting, and other serious problems.

Drinking large amounts of wine long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, heart and liver problems, and certain types of cancer.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if wine is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Wine is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (about two 5-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Larger amounts can cause blackouts, drowsiness, trouble walking, vomiting, and other serious problems.

Drinking large amounts of wine long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, heart and liver problems, and certain types of cancer.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if wine is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy: Alcohol is likely unsafe to drink during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects and other serious harm to the unborn infant. It's linked with a significant risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as developmental and behavioral disorders after birth. Don't drink alcohol if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding: Alcohol is likely unsafe to drink while breast-feeding. Alcohol passes into breast milk and can cause abnormal development. Alcohol can also disturb the infant's sleep pattern, and seems to reduce milk production.

Asthma: Drinking wine has been linked with triggering asthma attacks. This may be due to certain chemicals found in wine, such as salicylates and/or nitrites.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Drinking alcohol can make GERD worse.

Gout: Drinking alcohol can make gout worse.

Heart conditions: In people with chest pain, heart failure, or an enlarged heart, drinking alcohol might make these conditions worse.

High blood pressure: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day can increase blood pressure and make high blood pressure worse.

High levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia): Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.

Insomnia: Drinking alcohol can make insomnia worse.

Liver disease: Drinking alcohol can make liver disease worse.

Neurological conditions: Drinking alcohol can make certain disorders of the nervous system worse.

Swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Drinking alcohol can make pancreatitis worse.

Stomach ulcers: Drinking alcohol can make stomach ulcers worse.

A blood condition called porphyria: Drinking alcohol can make porphyria worse.

Mental health conditions: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks daily can make some mental health conditions worse and reduce thinking skills.

Surgery: Wine can slow down the central nervous system. Combining wine with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery might slow the central nervous system down too much. Stop drinking alcohol before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Aspirin interacts with Wine

    Aspirin can sometimes damage the stomach and cause ulcers and bleeding. The alcohol in wine can also damage the stomach. Taking aspirin along with wine might increase the chance of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach. Avoid taking wine and aspirin together.

  • Cefamandole (Mandol) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine can interact with cefamandole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink alcohol while taking cefamandole.

  • Cefoperazone (Cefobid) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine can interact with cefoperazone. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink alcohol while taking cefoperazone.

  • Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) interacts with Wine

    Chlorpropamide might decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking wine and taking chlorpropamide might cause a headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink alcohol if you are taking chlorpropamide.

  • Cisapride (Propulsid) interacts with Wine

    Cisapride might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of the alcohol in wine. Taking cisapride along with wine might increase the effects and side effects of alcohol.

  • Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with Wine

    Wine might increase how much cyclosporine the body absorbs. Taking wine along with cyclosporine might increase the side effects of cyclosporine.

  • Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with Wine

    Disulfiram decreases how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking wine and taking disulfiram can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking disulfiram.

  • Erythromycin interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down the alcohol in wine to get rid of it. Erythromycin can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of alcohol. Taking erythromycin might increase the effects and side effects of alcohol.

  • Felodipine (Plendil) interacts with Wine

    Red wine can change the way the body absorbs and breaks down felodipine. Drinking red wine while taking felodipine for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Drinking wine and taking sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

  • Antibiotics (Sulfonamide antibiotics) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine can interact with some antibiotics. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink wine while taking antibiotics.

  • Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down the alcohol in wine to get rid of it. Griseofulvin decreases how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking wine and taking griseofulvin can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking griseofulvin.

  • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Wine

    Wine contains a chemical called tyramine. Large amounts of tyramine can cause high blood pressure. But the body naturally breaks down tyramine to get rid of it. This usually prevents the tyramine from causing high blood pressure. Some medications used for depression stop the body from breaking down tyramine. This can cause there to be too much tyramine and lead to dangerously high blood pressure.

    Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

  • Medications for pain (Narcotic drugs) interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down some medications for pain to get rid of them. The alcohol in wine might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of these medications. Taking some medications for pain along with wine might increase the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Drinking wine while taking a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

  • Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-Blockers) interacts with Wine

    H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. The alcohol in wine can increase stomach acid. Drinking wine might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.

    Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).

  • Metformin (Glucophage) interacts with Wine

    Metformin is broken down by the body in the liver. The alcohol in wine is also broken down in the body by the liver. Drinking wine and taking metformin might cause serious side effects.

  • Metronidazole (Flagyl) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine can interact with metronidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking metronidazole and for at least one day after taking metronidazole.

  • NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) interacts with Wine

    NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications used for decreasing pain and swelling. NSAIDs can sometimes damage the stomach and intestines and cause ulcers and bleeding. The alcohol in wine can also damage the stomach and intestines. Taking NSAIDs along with wine might increase the chance of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Avoid taking wine and NSAIDs together.

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down phenytoin to get rid of it. The alcohol in wine might increase how quickly the body breaks down phenytoin. Drinking wine might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the possibility of seizures.

  • Tolbutamide (Orinase) interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down the alcohol in wine to get rid of it. Tolbutamide can decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcohol and taking tolbutamide can cause pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink wine if you are taking tolbutamide.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with Wine

    Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. The alcohol in wine can interact with warfarin. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can change the effects of warfarin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

  • Acitretin (Soriatane) interacts with Wine

    The body converts acitretin into other chemicals. One of these chemicals, called etretinate, can cause birth defects. Drinking alcohol can increase the amount of etretinate that the body produces. This chemical can be stored in the body for a long time, even after acitretin is stopped. Do not consume alcohol while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping acitretin.

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin) interacts with Wine

    Bupropion might increase the risk for adverse effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking bupropion. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking bupropion.

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec) interacts with Wine

    Cetirizine might cause sleepiness in some people. Drinking alcohol with cetirizine might increase the risk for this side effect.

  • Citalopram (Celexa) interacts with Wine

    Citalopram might increase the risk for adverse effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking citalopram. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking citalopram.

  • Doxycycline (Vibramycin) interacts with Wine

    The body breaks down doxycycline to get rid of it. Drinking alcohol regularly for a long time increases how quickly the body breaks down doxycycline. This might decrease the effects of doxycycline. But drinking a small amount of alcohol doesn't seem to have this effect.

  • Eluxadoline (Viberzi) interacts with Wine

    Drinking alcohol regularly or in large amounts might increase the risk of a serious side effect, called pancreatitis, in people who are taking eluxadoline.

  • Flibanserin (Addyi) interacts with Wine

    Drinking alcohol and taking flibanserin can increase the risk of serious side effects, including very low blood pressure and fainting.

  • Levocetirizine (Xyzal) interacts with Wine

    Levocetirizine might cause sleepiness in some people. Drinking alcohol with levocetirizine might increase the risk for this side effect.

  • Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) interacts with Wine

    Drinking alcohol while taking levomilnacipran might cause the body to absorb levomilnacipran faster. It might also cause the body to break down levomilnacipran faster. This might change the effects of levomilnacipran.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might lower blood sugar levels. Drinking wine while taking antidiabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might increase blood pressure when wine is consumed regularly for a long time. But the alcohol in wine might also lower blood pressure for a short time after drinking wine. Consume alcohol with caution if you are taking medications for high blood pressure. Alcohol might change the effects of these medications.

  • Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Vasodilators) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might lower blood pressure for a short time. Medications that increase blood flow to the heart can also lower blood pressure. Drinking wine when taking these medications might cause blood pressure to go too low and increase the risk for side effects.

  • Secnidazole (Solosec) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might interact with secnidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking secnidazole and for at least one day after taking secnidazole.

  • Tinidazole (Tindamax) interacts with Wine

    The alcohol in wine might interact with tinidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking tinidazole and for at least one day after taking tinidazole.

  • Varenicline (Chantix) interacts with Wine

    Varenicline might increase the risk for side effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking varenicline. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking varenicline.

Dosing

Alcoholic beverages, including wine, are commonly consumed by adults. Intake is usually measured in number of "drinks." One drink is equivalent to 4 oz (120 mL) of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1 oz of spirits. The benefits from wine are typically seen with light to moderate consumption, but it's not clear what that actually means in number of drinks.
View References

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