The idea that red wine is “good for the heart” has been around for a long time, and many people have treated it like established health advice. The claim came from early studies that looked at resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes. These studies suggested that resveratrol might help reduce inflammation and protect the heart. 

That part is true. What did not translate accurately into everyday life is the amount needed to see that benefit. The level of resveratrol used in those studies was far higher than what is found in a glass of wine.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have clarified that a person would have to drink several bottles of red wine daily to reach the levels of resveratrol seen in those early experiments. This is clearly not realistic, and it would be harmful. However, by the time this clarification made its way through the media and everyday conversations, the story had already changed to something simpler and more convenient: “red wine is good for the heart.”

That simplified version is what stuck. The science behind it did not.

What updated research shows

More recent research makes the situation clearer. The compound that was believed to offer heart benefits is present in wine in small amounts, but the alcohol itself has well-documented effects on the cardiovascular system. The World Health Organisation stated in 2023 that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, because alcohol directly contributes to increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, weakened heart muscles, and higher stroke risk.

The British Heart Foundation also confirms that regular alcohol intake, even at levels many people consider moderate, raises blood pressure. Blood pressure, in turn, is one of the strongest predictors of heart disease. So while the antioxidant narrative sounds appealing, the net effect of alcohol ends up working against heart health.

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This is the exact point Aproko Doctor highlighted in his discussion of the topic. He explained that the antioxidant benefit people refer to does exist, but the amount you get from a glass of wine is so small that it makes little to no difference. Meanwhile, alcohol increases the body’s workload and pressure on the heart. So the supposed benefit is outweighed by the harm.

In his words, alcohol “is not good for your health.”

Why this matters in the Nigerian context

Nigeria has one of the highest reported rates of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many Nigerians do not undergo routine health checks, so high blood pressure often goes unnoticed until it becomes serious. Daily life stress, high salt diets, and limited access to preventive care all contribute to cardiovascular strain.

In this environment, using red wine as a “heart health measure” is not just scientifically unsupported; it can be dangerous. The belief offers a false sense of protection, while the underlying risks continue to grow quietly.

Protecting the heart in Nigeria requires intentional habits: routine blood pressure checks, more fruits and vegetables, reduced excess salt, movement and physical activity, and getting adequate rest. These are strategies with established and repeated evidence supporting them. Red wine simply does not offer the same effect.

So where does this leave red wine?

Red wine can be enjoyed for taste, leisure, relaxation, or celebration. Those are personal choices, and they are valid on their own. The key is understanding what it is not. It is not a heart health strategy, and it does not replace preventive care or healthier daily habits.

The science is clear: The heart benefits people associate with red wine come from a misunderstanding of research, while the alcohol itself increases cardiovascular risks.

If someone chooses to drink red wine, it should be for enjoyment, not for health.

Meiza Nigeria