title: Mediterranean Way of Drinking and Longevity.
abstract: The relation between alcohol consumption and mortality is a J-shaped curve in most of the many studies published on this topic. The Copenhagen Prospective Population Studies demonstrated in the year 2000 that wine intake may have a beneficial effect on all cause mortality that is additive to that of alcohol. Wine contains various poliphenolic substances which may be beneficial for health and in particular flavonols (such as myricetin and quercetin), catechin and epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, various phenolic acids and the stilbene resveratrol. In particular, resveratrol seems to play a positive effect on longevity because it increases the expression level of Sirt1, besides its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Moderate wine drinking is part of the Mediterranean diet, together with abundant and variable plant foods, high consumption of cereals, olive oil as the main (added) fat and a low intake of (red) meat. This healthy diet pattern involves a "Mediterranean way of drinking," that is a regular, moderate wine consumption mainly with food (up to two glasses a day for men and one glass for women). Moderate wine drinking increases longevity, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and does not appreciably influence the overall risk of cancer.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.|b Department of Gastroenterology , Policlinico di Monza , Monza , Italy.
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacosa
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biology , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barale
authors.affiliation: d CRA-Research Centre for Viticulture , Conegliano , Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bavaresco
authors.affiliation: e ASP (Azienda di Servizi alla Persona) of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Milena Anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Faliva
authors.affiliation: f Va. PRA, Microbiology and Food Technology Sector, University of Turin , Grugliasco , Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gerbi
authors.affiliation: g Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research , Milan , Italy.|h Department of Occupational Health , University of Milan , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: La Vecchia
authors.affiliation: g Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: e ASP (Azienda di Servizi alla Persona) of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Opizzi
authors.affiliation: e ASP (Azienda di Servizi alla Persona) of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.affiliation: i Department of Biotechnology , University of Verona , Verona , Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pezzotti
authors.affiliation: e ASP (Azienda di Servizi alla Persona) of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.|j Department of Applied Health Science , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondanelli
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D044948:Flavonols / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D037761:Sirtuins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014920:Wine / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D044948:Flavonols; D010636:Phenols; D013267:Stilbenes; D037761:Sirtuins; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: Alcohol; Mediterranean diet; longevity; resveratrol; wine