Wine: Majority Believe Moderation Consumption Promotes Health
morefocus recently surveyed people's opinions on wine consumption and health. Nearly 2,800 voiced their feelings on what moderation is, how much they consume, and how knowledge of wine's health benefits has altered their consumption. Overwhelmingly, 94 percent of respondents agreed that moderate consumption of red wine is beneficial to health.
In general, people's perception of "moderate" drinking fell in line with their own consumption practices. While most respondents (56 percent) defined moderation as two glasses of wine per day, 61 percent drink at most one glass of wine per day. Although less people tended to define three glasses of wine as moderate, the question about how much people consume listed a range of two to three glasses. Therefore, it is hard to say whether this smaller group who chose the two to three range tends to drink within their concept of moderation or exceed it.
Findings of current research have an enormous impact on people's consumption patterns. 94 percent of respondents said they would drink more red wine knowing that it can prevent heart disease. Conversely, only 6 percent would continue drinking more white then red wine.
Many people (43 percent) related that they would like to see guidelines for healthy consumption on wine labels. Although the majority of respondents agreed on their concept of "moderate" drinking as two glasses daily, ironically peoples' initial response is to not trust others' concepts of "healthy consumption" and, thus, desire guidelines on wine labels. Nevertheless, 34 percent of respondents agreed that nothing should be done to labels, reaffirming faith in the fact that individual concepts of "healthy consumption" most likely will, and in fact already do, fall within a general consensus of "moderation."
This survey on wine and health found that most respondents not only agreed that red wine has health benefits, but they also shared their concept of "moderate" drinking and tended to consume wine according to this notion.
| Wine and Health Survey |
| Question/Answer |
Responses |
Percentage |
| Drinking wine from a young age, as part of family meals, encourages responsible drinking in adult life. |
2344 |
| Strongly Agree |
479 |
20.44% |
| Agree |
699 |
29.82% |
| Moderately Agree |
455 |
19.41% |
| Neither Agree nor Disagree |
328 |
13.99% |
| Moderately Disagree |
97 |
4.14% |
| Disagree |
185 |
7.89% |
| Strongly Disagree |
102 |
4.35% |
|
|
|
| Red wine, in moderation, is beneficial to health. |
2349 |
| Strongly Agree |
883 |
37.59% |
| Agree |
1102 |
46.91% |
| Moderately Agree |
222 |
9.45% |
| Neither Agree nor Disagree |
74 |
3.15% |
| Moderately Disagree |
17 |
0.72% |
| Disagree |
28 |
1.19% |
| Strongly Disagree |
24 |
1.02% |
|
|
|
| In your opinion, “moderate consumption” consists of how many normal glasses per day? |
2354 |
| one |
708 |
30.08% |
| two |
1315 |
55.86% |
| three |
257 |
10.92% |
| four |
46 |
1.95% |
| five |
11 |
0.47% |
| six |
17 |
0.72% |
|
|
|
| Current research suggests that red wines contain more of the substances that help prevent heart disease than do white wines. Would this information persuade you to do any of the following? (Select one) |
1661 |
| Drink more red wine, which I prefer over white |
1176 |
70.80% |
| Drink more red wine, even though I don’t like it |
98 |
5.90% |
| Drink more red wine, even though I prefer white |
297 |
17.88% |
| Continue drinking more white than red wine |
90 |
5.42% |
| Nothing, the information wouldn't affect my choices |
0 |
0.00% |
|
|
|
| If the media highlighted the health benefits of moderate wine drinking more often, do you think any of the following would occur? (Select all that apply) |
2071 |
| It would lead to a healthier lifestyle and more responsible drinking |
1248 |
60.26% |
| Non-drinkers might be seduced into taking up drinking |
503 |
24.29% |
| It might encourage under-age and irresponsible alcohol consumption |
291 |
14.05% |
| There would be a backlash from anti-alcohol lobbies and temperance groups |
609 |
29.41% |
|
|
|
| What information would you like to see added to wine labels? (Select all that apply) |
2139 |
| That red wine is potentially beneficial for your health |
517 |
24.17% |
| That excess alcohol is dangerous |
459 |
21.46% |
| A warning about the dangers of drinking and driving |
527 |
24.64% |
| A warning about under-age drinking |
301 |
14.07% |
| Nothing, labels are fine as they are |
718 |
33.57% |
| Guidelines for healthy levels of consumption |
928 |
43.38% |
|
|
|
| Approximately how many normal glasses of wine do you drink per day? |
2160 |
| 0-1 |
1326 |
61.39% |
| 2-3 |
726 |
33.61% |
| 4-5 |
83 |
3.84% |
| 6-7 |
13 |
0.60% |
| 8 or more |
12 |
0.56% |
|
|
|
| If you were completely convinced that wine was good for your health, would you drink more wine? |
1309 |
| Yes |
464 |
35.45% |
| No |
480 |
36.67% |
| Maybe |
365 |
27.88% |
|
|
|
| Where are you from? |
1580 |
| United States |
1164 |
73.67% |
| Canada |
74 |
4.68% |
| United Kingdom |
87 |
5.51% |
| Europe (other than UK) |
83 |
5.25% |
| Australia/New Zealand |
55 |
3.48% |
| Asia |
49 |
3.10% |
| Central/South America |
32 |
2.03% |
| Other |
36 |
2.28% |
|
|
|
| What is your gender? |
1535 |
|
| Male |
820 |
53.42% |
| Female |
715 |
46.58% |
|
|
|