ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CHOICE AND RISK OF CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE MORTALITY - DO RED WINE DRINKERS FARE BEST

Several population studies have described a lower coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality risk in alcohol drinkers (vs abstainers).1-3 Those studies showed no consensus that any specific beverage type (wine, liquor or beer) is likely to be more protective than are the others.3 The importance of allowing for other traits and habits related to wine, liquor or beer use when studying beverage choice is now clear.4 Recent media attention (e.g., "60 Minutes," CBS Television Network, 7:00 p.m., November 17, 1991) concerning the "French paradox" (lower CAD incidence in France than in the United States) has focused on the possible benefits of red wine in particular. Isolated reports suggest a possible role of tannins5 or phenolic compounds6 in red wine. In this report, we present data from a large prospective population study that are pertinent to the possible role of preference for wine, liquor or beer in CAD mortality risk. © 1993.