Moderate wine consumption may benefit kidneys

New research links moderate wine consumption with a lower prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD); and, for those who already have CKD, the study indicates some wine consumption may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Using the 2003-2006 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver analyzed the wine intake of the 5,852 participants. They found that the prevalence of CKD was lower in participants who drank less than one glass of wine a day, compared to non-drinkers.

Researchers also concluded that, among the 1,031 participants who already had CKD, those who drank less than 1 glass of wine a day had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to non-drinkers.

According to the American Heart Association, one glass of wine is four ounces.

“Kidney disease shares common risk factors with cardiovascular disease, and previous studies have shown that wine consumption has an association with lower risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population,” lead study author Dr. Tapan Mehta told FoxNews.com.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, chronic kidney disease affects 26 million American adults. Heart disease is the major cause of death for those with CKD.

“There’s a very strong relationship [between heart disease and kidney disease],” Dr. Beth Piraino, president of the National Kidney Foundation, told FoxNews.com.

For those with kidney disease, Mehta notes that this is not a sign that non-drinkers should suddenly start drinking wine.

“This is just an association study, so we can’t conclude any cause-and-effect relationship; so we can’t yet recommend people with kidney disease to start drinking wine,” he said.

Piraino notes that the study will stimulate more research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and kidney disease.

“People have this idea that alcohol is forbidden [when you have CKD]…but it’s really in moderation,” she said.

Researchers were not able to differentiate what type of wine was consumed, but Mehta noted that surveys have shown more people drink red wine than white.