Jojy Cheriyan MD;MPH-April 24,2014

Misleading news promoting alcohol are widespread in our media. When a study on the dangers of alcohol consumption is published, many reporters highlight the flaws of the study, as if to promote alcoholism and attract more readers. But, when a study is published on the limited benefits of moderate consumption, the word 'moderation' is taken off the limelight and all news will be titled to promote drinking. Such news reports will not contain the risks and limitations of the study.

A new study reported yesterday (04/23/2014) at the National Kidney Foundation meeting at Las Vegas was based on the data from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination that included nearly 6,000 people. Of those, about 1,000 had chronic kidney disease. The study was conducted by Dr. Tapan Mehta, a renal fellow at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, in Aurora.

The findings of the study have been interesting, and consistent with some previous studies. The researchers in this study found that those "with healthy kidneys" who drank less than one glass of wine a day had a 37 percent lower risk of having chronic kidney disease than those who drank no wine. And for those who "already have kidney disease"( which puts one at higher risk for cardiovascular problems) moderate wine drinking might help the heart. Again, those with chronic kidney disease who drank less than one glass a day had a 29 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events (than those who drank no wine). These 3 were the key findings of the study.

It is known that having chronic kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. About 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, often caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Previous research has also found that moderate drinking (only 1-2 ounces) is linked to heart benefits. This was the background that led Dr. Mehta and colleagues to research whether moderate drinking could help those with chronic kidney disease lower their risk of cardiovascular problems, and whether it can help those with healthy kidneys keep them that way.

But we are still not sure why wine might do this. The researchers in this study could not make a cause and effect relation. What they could find was only an association. Previous study has shown that drinking moderate amounts is linked with lower levels of protein in the urine. In those who have kidney disease, higher protein levels in the urine are linked with an increased risk of progression of kidney disease. Studies have also shown that the polyphenols found in wine have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help explain the protective heart effects. Also, red wine has more antioxidants than any other wines and found to be heart-protective if consumed in "moderation".

Take Home Message:

Here, the study emphasizes the moderation (limited to less than a glass of wine). But at the same time, it is important to remember that we have immense scientific evidence about kidney problems caused by moderate alcohol consumption.

According to American Heart Association alcohol consumption should be limited to 1-2 drinks per day for men and one drink for women. One drink is one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.