For years, red wine has been portrayed as the “healthy” alcohol, with a popular belief claiming that a daily glass is good for the heart.
The simple argument for red wine rests on one compound called resveratrol.
Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in grape skin, and researchers believe it may help reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel function, and lower the risk of heart disease. 
So because red wine is made from grapes with the skin left on, it contains resveratrol.
At first glance, that sounds logical; however, the problem starts when you look at how much resveratrol your body actually needs.
YOU SHOULD READ: Why Everyone Is Drinking Warm Water on an Empty Stomach in 2026
Does the Resveratrol in Red Wine Have Health Benefits?
According to popular Nigerian health educator Chinonso Egemba, widely known as Aproko Doctor, resveratrol only has a meaningful effect when taken at doses of about 500–1,000 mg per day.
But in a typical bottle of red wine, there are about 2 mg of resveratrol. To reach 1,000 mg, you would need to drink around 500–666 bottles of red wine every day.
By the time you get anywhere close to that, your liver, heart, and other internal organs would already be in serious trouble. In simple terms, the alcohol would destroy you long before the resveratrol could help you.
What the Science Actually Says About Red Wine
Some studies have linked moderate red wine consumption with a lower risk of heart disease. However, researchers are clear that this does not prove that red wine causes better heart health.
In many cases, people who drink small amounts of red wine also tend to:
- Eat healthier diets, such as the Mediterranean diet (it emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and olive oil as the primary fat source).
- Exercise regularly
- Smoke less
- Have better access to healthcare
In other words, the benefits often come from the lifestyle, not the wine.
The World Heart Federation states that no level of alcohol consumption is safe, especially because alcohol increases cancer risk.
While moderate drinking may appear less harmful than heavy drinking, it is still not recommended as a health strategy.
DID YOU MISS: Does Parboiling Instant Noodles Make Them Healthier?
Health organisations also agree on this advice:
- Do not start drinking alcohol for heart health
- If you already drink, do so strictly in moderation (one drink per day for women, two for men)
- If possible, avoid alcohol altogether
The Harmful Effects of Alcohol
Heavy or regular alcohol use can increase the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Heart rhythm problems
- Cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle)
- High triglycerides and LDL cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
In addition, research links alcohol to central obesity, which is fat around the belly, a known risk factor for heart disease.
Red wine is not medicine, and the resveratrol it contains is too small to matter, which means that the alcohol causes more harm than good.
As Aproko Doctor often explains, if you are looking to protect your heart, the real habits to adopt are
- Fruits and vegetables (including grapes)
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy weight
- Good sleep
- Managing stress
- Avoiding smoking and excess alcohol
If you do not drink, there is no health reason to start. And if you do drink, enjoy it occasionally, not as a prescription for your heart.
About The Author
