Italian Study Links Moderate Wine Intake to Slower Biological Aging in Men

Moderate Wine Consumption Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Men, Italian Study Finds

A large Italian cohort study suggests that moderate wine consumption, specifically within the parameters of a traditional Mediterranean diet, may be associated with a slightly slower rate of biological aging in men. The study differentiated this effect from total alcohol intake, which showed a less favorable pattern concerning biological aging. These findings were published in the International Journal of Public Health.

Moderate wine consumption, within a traditional Mediterranean diet, may be associated with a slightly slower rate of biological aging in men.

Study Overview

Biological age (BA), determined by clinical biomarkers, is considered a more accurate predictor of future health risks and longevity compared to chronological age (CA). Individuals age at varying rates, and lifestyle choices are understood to influence these aging processes. The Mediterranean Diet, which includes moderate wine consumption, has been linked to cardiovascular health benefits. This study aimed to explore the relationship between wine consumption patterns and biological aging.

Methodology

Researchers analyzed data from 22,495 adults participating in the Moli-sani Study, a population-based cohort in Southern Italy. Dietary habits, including habitual food and beverage consumption over the past year, were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire.

Wine intake was categorized into five distinct groups:

• Abstainers
• Former drinkers
• Moderate (according to national guidelines)
• Moderate (according to Mediterranean Diet criteria)
• Heavy drinkers

Biological age was estimated using a Deep Neural Network (DNN), a machine learning model trained on 36 circulating biomarkers representing various physiological systems, including metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, and inflammatory processes. The difference between BA and CA, termed Δage, served as an indicator of biological aging, with negative values suggesting slower aging.

Associations between wine consumption and Δage were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models. These models were adjusted for potential confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, physical activity, education, medical history, and adherence to an alcohol-free Mediterranean Diet Score. Missing data were addressed through multiple imputation methodologies, and restricted cubic spline models were used to explore dose-response relationships.

Key Findings

The study population had a mean chronological age of 55.6 years and an average biological age of 54.9 years, indicating a modest overall delay in aging. Nearly half of the participants were classified as moderate drinkers.

Men who consumed wine at levels consistent with the Mediterranean Diet (approximately 125-500 mL per day, or roughly one to two glasses) showed a modest association with slower biological aging compared to abstainers. Their Δage values were lower, suggesting they were biologically younger than their chronological age. The most pronounced effect was observed at approximately 170 mL/day, where biological aging was estimated to be reduced by about 0.34 years.

Moderate wine consumption demonstrated positive effects, while both minimal and excessive consumption showed neutral or negative outcomes. This suggests that excessive wine intake may counteract potential benefits.

Total alcohol intake from all sources did not yield similar results to moderate wine drinking. Large quantities of alcohol were associated with accelerated biological aging, indicating that the source and quantity of alcohol are significant.

Women did not show significant differences in biological aging across wine consumption categories. The formal interaction test by sex was not statistically significant, preventing a definitive conclusion about differences between sexes. Potential reasons for this observed difference include biological variations in alcohol metabolism and hormonal influences in women.

Subgroup analyses indicated no clear evidence that the association differed based on overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, suggesting that wine-specific bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, might contribute to the observed relationships rather than solely alcohol content. Other elements of the Mediterranean Diet, including vegetable intake and healthy fat ratios, were also associated with a slower rate of aging.

Healthier individuals, characterized by higher activity levels, lower BMI, and fewer chronic conditions, were more frequently found in moderate drinking categories, though the study controlled for these factors in its analysis.

Conclusion and Limitations

In men, moderate wine consumption at intake levels defined by a traditional Mediterranean Diet appears to influence the rate of biological aging. The study suggests that these observed benefits may stem from bioactive compounds found in wine rather than solely from its alcohol content. The research highlights the importance of considering beverage types and consumption patterns rather than total ethanol intake.

While these findings offer insights into healthy aging, the study indicates an association rather than establishing causation. Further long-term research is needed to investigate the impact of lifestyle choices on the aging process and to inform public health policy.