Red Wine Will Protect You From Covid Infection

Despite the significance of this report (it's real) there will be push back and skepticism...for understandable reaons.

If you sit in a quiet place in your home, turn off all electronics, close your eyes and listen carefully, you can actually hear the bursting of blood vessels under the skin of the neo-prohibitionist/anti-alcohol crusaders. It’s all due entirely to this headline:

“People who consume red wine between one to more than five glasses per week had a 10 to 17% lower risk in contracting Covid.”

This is the finding of a study that looked at the drinking habits of 474,000 UK residents and their Covid infection status. But wait. There’s more. White wine, Champagne, and fortified wine drinkers also found protection from Covid infection. However, there was no protection for beer, cider, and spirits drinkers.

What’s really impactful and unique about these findings is that they apparently find PROTECTIVE qualities to drinking certain amounts of different wines, instead of positive treatment qualities. That is to say: Drink wine and you have a lower chance of contracting Covid.

“Researchers think the polyphenol content in alcoholic beverages, which have antioxidant properties, may play a role.”

Not since the pandemic blanketed the world in early 2020 have I read anything anywhere that suggested a certain type of food or drink would help prevent a person from being infected by Covid. We’ve read all sorts of things about how and what to eat and drink to recover, but nothing about foods or drinks that make one less likely to become infected.

I think there is a very good chance this study will be examined and duplicated by others. There is one caveat. The researchers in China studied the drinking habits and covid status of nearly half a million Britons who had an average age of 69. Does the protective impact of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir accrue to folks who are in their 30s and 40s, and 50s also?

WHY AM I SKEPTICAL?
But I have to admit I’m skeptical of the results and headline here. It’s not because I’m a scientist and understand the methodology or limitations of the study and findings. After all, the stated results of this study are unambiguous. I’m skeptical because for 30 years since the French Paradox was reported on “60 Minutes” and changed the drinking dynamic in the U.S., I’ve watched claim after claim being made by the White Coats about alcohol. “It’s good for you.” “No, it’s bad for you.” “It’s sometimes good for you.” “Only this amount is good for you.” “All if it will give you cancer.” Etc, etc, etc.

There surely is a name or should be a name for the phenomenon of hearing so much contradictory advice on one subject over time that one disregards all the advice. And I think this is exactly what will happen with the news of this study. It will get some pick up that comes with a wink and a nod. But the first news of a consumable product (that I know of) that actually prevents Covid infection likely won’t make real headlines.

In any case, the news that drinking up to five glasses of red wine per week provides significant protection against CONTRACTING Covid is pretty significant. If true, it’s a good reason to drink wine. However, I await the soon-to-be-released statement from the Association of Anti-Alcohol Nannies (AAAN) that in attempting to protect one's self from Covid by drinking red wine, you’ll surely see the blood drain from your body.