A glass of red wine this Christmas could be good for you, says expert. It’s ‘The French Paradox’!

A leading specialist in medically supervised alcohol reduction says moderate wine consumption this Christmas could actually reduce your risk of heart disease. Scientists call this ‘The French Paradox’. It could also balance your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of cancer. However, the key is moderation.

Every Christmas, the media warns about overindulging in food and alcohol. However, Sinclair Method UK Ltd – a leading expert in alcohol reduction – notes that red wine offers potential health benefits when consumed in moderation. These benefits may include a reduced risk of serious conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer.

Harvey Bhandal, MD, Sinclair Method UK, which specialises in medically supervised alcohol reduction, explains: ‘Light to moderate red wine consumption has been suggested as a reason behind “The French Paradox” – the observation that France has lower rates of coronary heart disease compared to other Western nations, despite a diet higher in total and saturated fats. Research published in the journal Molecules concludes that moderate red wine intake might have protective effects on the heart.

‘While LDL or "bad" cholesterol carries fats into arteries and contributes to plaque buildup, HDL or "good" cholesterol helps remove fat from blood vessels, preventing blockages. The paper highlights evidence showing that light to moderate alcohol intake is linked with higher HDL levels and can even help prevent artery damage caused by high LDL. Red wine may also improve the function of cells lining the blood vessels, keeping blood circulation flowing smoothly.

‘Supporting this view, a separate study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases reports that moderate red wine consumption offers multiple health advantages. Notably, moderate alcohol use among healthy adults correlates with reduced overall mortality compared to abstainers or heavy drinkers.

‘Red wine is also rich in antioxidants. A study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences confirms that polyphenols –  antioxidant compounds found in red wine –  may inhibit cancer cell formation and tumour growth. Interestingly, red wine demonstrated stronger anticancer activity than white wine.

‘Red wine also contains vitamins and minerals. While no one suggests that a glass of Merlot counts as one of your five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, it does provide 0.2 mg of manganese (about 10% of your daily requirement), along with small amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

‘Of course, moderation is essential. Any benefits of wine or other alcohol are negated when consumed in excess. Long-term heavy drinking increases the risks of heart disease, liver problems and cancer.

‘For those struggling to cut back, The Sinclair Method (TSM) is an established approach involving prescription medication alongside coaching and counselling. This treatment, which has helped 80% of participants reduce problem drinking, combines peer support and medical oversight. Patients take a non-addictive opioid blocker called naltrexone before drinking, which reduces alcohol’s pleasurable effects and gradually retrains the brain's reward pathways through “pharmacological extinction”.

‘Sinclair Method UK Ltd provides personalised care, including direct access to a private GP and individual coaching for three to six months. Support is delivered via phone or video call, prescriptions are issued as needed and all services are handled confidentially.

‘Sinclair Method UK’s founders worked closely with Dr. Roy Eskapa, a collaborator of Dr. David Sinclair, whose groundbreaking research inspired this approach. Due to these ties, Sinclair Method UK Ltd is uniquely authorised to use The Sinclair Method’s brand and trademark in the UK. For more information, visit: https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com