Researcher: Wine may help prevent bacterial diseases

May 6, 1996

From Correspondents Eugenia Halsey and Holly Firfer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- First, the wine industry touted wine's ability to possibly help stave off heart disease, now, it's publicizing research by a West Virginia scientist, suggesting that drinking one or two glasses of wine with your meals may help prevent food poisoning, dysentery, and so-called traveler's diarrhea.

"If you drink wine with your meals and the bacteria is in the food, as the food is in your stomach, and the wine is in your stomach, it will kill the bacteria before it has a chance to get into your intestines," said Dr. Martin Weisse of the University of Virginia.

Weisse's research published last year in the British Medical Journal, showed red and white wine were better at wiping out bacteria than other types of alcohol or even Pepto Bismol.

Weisse believes there is a compound in wine released during fermentation that kills bacteria such as ecoli, salmonella and shigella.

He notes in ancient times, people frequently drank wine to aid in digestion.

But a consumer groups says there is no proof wine has anti-microbial effects because Weisse's studies were done in a test tube, not in people.

"He didn't show wine will kill bacteria inside our bodies," said David Schardt of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "He simply showed if you mix bacteria with wine together in a glass, the wine will kill the bacteria."

Nevertheless, the wine industry is renewing its request to the government to modify the warnings now required on labels, stating that wine may cause health problems. It has sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), asking that wineries be allowed to include a statement telling consumers to look to the new U.S. dietary guidelines for guidance.

Those guidelines, for the first time, say that wine can be drunk in moderation.

The ATF said it is looking into the matter, but a number of groups oppose any modification of the warning label on wine.

"While research does suggest that moderate drinking might be cardio-protective for some individuals," said Mary Dufore of the National Institutes of Health, "we don't know enough right now to know who it will be most beneficial for and who it might create harm for."

Many health experts say if you don't already drink wine, there is no reason to start, and that the same health benefits may be provided by exercising and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Related sites:

• American Wine on the Web Magazine
  Includes articles, columns and features about American wine

• The Wine Page
  Informative site includes a tasting archive, a Washington Wine tour, and FAQs

• Wines on the Internet
  An online magazine for the wine enthusiast, includes a guide to best buys, a "Wine Words" section and a wine tasting score card

• WineZone
  From California's wine country, this site offers tasting information, and a feedback sections for wine lovers from around the Net

• World Wine Web
  This noted site includes a World Wine Encyclopedia, tasting information and lots of other facts about wine countries around the globe

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