Nutrition Journal reports a prospective analysis of 340,924 UK Biobank participants, followed for an average of 13.4 years, examining associations between wine, beer, cider and spirits consumption and mortality. High overall alcohol consumption was associated with a 24 per cent higher risk of death from all causes, a 36 per cent higher risk of cancer death and a 14 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular death, compared with never or occasional drinking. Low-to-moderate wine consumption was associated with lower mortality in the statistical analysis, while comparable consumption of beer, cider or spirits was associated with higher mortality, but this observational study cannot demonstrate that wine itself caused the apparent difference, as lifestyle, diet and socioeconomic factors may distinguish wine drinkers from other groups. Importantly, high wine consumption was associated with increased mortality from several cancers, meaning the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that people should begin drinking wine for health reasons.
Health
-
Light and Moderate Drinking Show No Clear Cancer Mortality Risk
Wine Drinker reports that a large independent analysis of the US REGARDS cohort found that heavy alcohol consumption was associated with higher long-term cancer mortality among adults aged 45 and over. After excluding participants with prior cancer or missing alcohol data, researchers followed 26,694 people for a median of 13.3 years, during which 2,306 cancer deaths occurred. Heavy drinkers had a 21% higher adjusted hazard of cancer death than non-drinkers, while moderate drinking showed no clear link and light drinking appeared associated with lower risk, though this may reflect residual confounding rather than protection. The association did not differ significantly by sex, and while smoking partly explained the increased risk among heavy drinkers, it did not fully account for it.
-
Mercian Recalls 620,000 Bottles of Chilean Rosé in Japan
Nippon.com, citing Jiji Press, reports that Mercian has recalled about 620,000 bottles of three Chilean rosé wines after finding they contain copper citrate, an additive not approved in Japan, with the company saying no health problems have been reported so far and that it will reimburse customers with Quo Card gift certificates, the notice also names the 280ml Frontera sparkling rosé among the affected products.
-
UK Ministers’ Alcohol Labelling Plans Alarm Drinks Industry
The FT has reported that ministers have unsettled the drinks and hospitality sectors by convening major alcohol producers and trade bodies to discuss early-stage plans for mandatory new labelling on beer, wine and spirits, potentially featuring prominent health and nutrition warnings, while also preparing to reverse course on proposed business rates increases for pubs in England. Industry leaders fear strict cancer and other risk messages, possibly even shock-style approaches, and warn that changing packaging, especially if “rotating” warnings are required, would be costly and could push up prices and depress sales at a time when alcohol consumption is already at record lows amid the cost of living squeeze and a growing moderation trend.
-
Why Non Alcoholic Wine is So Hard to Get Right
Apple Podcasts, hosting BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme, says a new episode explores why alcohol free wine often struggles on flavour, and what technologies and approaches might close the gap. The description follows presenter Jaega Wise through production methods such as vacuum distillation, tastings of current bottles with specialists, and conversations with producers about the technical limits of making convincing 0% wines.