Moderate alcohol consumption and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity

The potential cardioprotective bioactive compounds in fermented alcoholic beverages: Mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities in beer and wine

Excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to human health, and it is implicated in the development of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. However, the last few decades have given rise to epidemiological evidence suggesting that low-to-moderate consumption of red wine and beer may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that moderate consumption of wine and beer protects against ischemic stroke, increases HDL plasma concentrations, and reduces platelet aggregation and insulin resistance. This cardioprotective effect has previously been attributed to phytochemicals in these beverages. This narrative review explores these potential cardioprotective phytochemicals and the underlying mechanisms responsible. Data from trials investigating the effect of alcoholic beverage consumption and in vitro analyses of the bioactive phytochemical compounds are reviewed. The potential of dealcoholized beverages is also explored. The literature shows that the cardioprotective effects observed with moderate alcohol consumption are mainly owing to the presence of anti-inflammatory polyphenolic and bioactive substances including lipophilic molecules present in low but biologically significant quantities. These phytochemicals are obtained from the raw materials and generated during the brewing processes. Studies indicate that dealcoholized variants of beer and wine also possess beneficial health effects, indicating that these effects are not alcohol dependent. There is also growing interest in dealcoholized beverages that are fortified or enhanced with cardioprotective properties. The development of such beverages is an important avenue of future research so that there are options for consumers who wish to enjoy wine and beer safely.

Features of Non-Alcoholic Beer on Cardiovascular Biomarkers. Can It Be a Substitute for Conventional Beer?

Numerous studies have revealed the beneficial effects of moderate beer consumption on cardiovascular diseases. However, the presence of alcohol in beer can represent a matter of concern, since alcohol intake poses a risk to some individuals. Additionally, adults who are life-long abstainers should not be encouraged to consume alcohol for health purposes. Consequently, the benefits of beer consumption remain a controversial issue. In this scenario, the present review gathers the reported information concerning the cardiovascular effects of non-alcoholic beer, and makes a comparison between these effects and those of conventional beer. Despite the scarcity of published results to date describing the effects of non-alcoholic beer consumption, the available literature indicates that it is more effective than conventional beer in preventing oxidative stress (lower lipid and protein oxidation), preserving the endothelial function (lower endothelial dysfunction) and inhibiting thrombogenic activity (lowered oxidized LDL). By contrast, conventional beer has shown to induce greater increases in HDL-cholesterol levels (known as a cardiovascular protective factor) compared to non-alcoholic beer. This effect cannot be solely attributed to alcohol content, since the polyphenol content in conventional beer tends to be higher than that found in non-alcoholic beer.

Moderate alcohol consumption and lipoprotein subfractions: a systematic review of intervention and observational studies

CONTEXT

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improvement in cardiovascular risk markers, including lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the relationship between moderate alcohol intake, lipoprotein subfractions, and related mechanisms.

DATA SOURCES

Following PRISMA, all human and ex vivo studies with an alcohol intake up to 60 g/d were included from 8 databases.

DATA EXTRACTION

A total of 17 478 studies were screened, and data were extracted from 37 intervention and 77 observational studies.

RESULTS

Alcohol intake was positively associated with all HDL subfractions. A few studies found lower levels of small LDLs, increased average LDL particle size, and nonlinear relationships to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Cholesterol efflux capacity and paraoxonase activity were consistently increased. Several studies had unclear or high risk of bias, and heterogeneous laboratory methods restricted comparability between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 60 g/d alcohol can cause changes in lipoprotein subfractions and related mechanisms that could influence cardiovascular health.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. 98955.

Biomarkers for alcohol abuse/withdrawal and their association with clinical scales and temptation to drink. A prospective pilot study during 4-week residential rehabilitation

A bulk of evidence in the field of translational medicine applied to clinical toxicology and rehabilitation has highlighted the possibility of using biomarkers as a support in the diagnosis of alcohol-related diseases and in monitoring of alcohol withdrawal. In a cohort of 55 subjects admitted to a 4-week residential rehabilitation period for alcohol detoxification, we applied a complementary approach correlating novel and conventional peripheral blood and urine parameters in combination with clinical and functional evaluation, contextually considered with the patient's history. Biomarkers of oxidative, inflammatory, hepatic, and neurochemical effects paralleled by alcohol craving and clinical scale measurements were determined at two specific time points, i.e., admission and discharge. Concerning the post-discharge assessment (i.e., relapse evaluation one month after discharge), a follow-up oral interview during a clinical examination was applied to evaluate alcohol abstinence.Selected biomarkers, i.e., MCP1, F2-IsoPs, and SOD1, were altered in chronic alcoholics at admission, and then showed a clearly changing trend during hospitalization. Our findings demonstrated that these specific non-traditional biomarkers, measured together with more conventional ones (e.g., CDT, EtG, IL8, ALT, AST, GGT), could represent novel key parameters for monitoring alcohol use disorders and withdrawal, being also suggestive of the complexity of the psychoneuroimmune response to alcohol. A general improvement in psychological functioning (i.e., decreases in anxiety, depression, and psychological distress) was also revealed during the 4-week rehabilitation treatment, paralleled by an increase of well-being and positive changes in terms of scores. Moreover, a positive association between SOD1 and drink craving at admission was evidenced. Notably, both SOD1 and well-being displayed a significant relation with lower risk of alcohol relapse one month after discharge, indicating that SOD1 is a good predictor of reduced relapse probability. This 4-week residential rehabilitation protocol represents a sound strategy enabling identification of alcohol use disorders and monitoring of alcohol addiction state and withdrawal. However, it has to be emphasized that results derived from this pilot study need to be extensively validated in large and independent cohorts of subjects.

Micronutrients, Phytochemicals and Mediterranean Diet: A Potential Protective Role against COVID-19 through Modulation of PAF Actions and Metabolism

The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emerging situation with high rates of morbidity and mortality, in the pathophysiology of which inflammation and thrombosis are implicated. The disease is directly connected to the nutritional status of patients and a well-balanced diet is recommended by official sources. Recently, the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) was suggested in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In the present review several micronutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals), phytochemicals and Mediterranean diet compounds with potential anti-COVID activity are presented. We further underline that the well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic actions of the investigated nutrients and/or holistic dietary schemes, such as the Mediterranean diet, are also mediated through PAF. In conclusion, there is no single food to prevent coronavirus Although the relationship between PAF and COVID-19 is not robust, a healthy diet containing PAF inhibitors may target both inflammation and thrombosis and prevent the deleterious effects of COVID-19. The next step is the experimental confirmation or not of the PAF-COVID-19 hypothesis.

To beer or not to beer: A meta-analysis of the effects of beer consumption on cardiovascular health

A moderate alcohol consumption is demonstrated to exert a protective action in terms of cardiovascular risk. Although this property seems not to be beverage-specific, the various composition of alcoholic compounds could mediate peculiar effects in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential beer-mediated effects on the cardiovascular health in humans, using a meta-analytic approach (trial registration number: CRD42018118387). The literature search, comprising all English articles published until November, 30th 2019 in EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane database included all controlled clinical trials evaluating the cardiovascular effects of beer assumption compared to alcohol-free beer, water, abstinence or placebo. Both sexes and all beer preparations were considered eligible. Outcome parameters were those entering in the cardiovascular risk charts and those related to endothelial dysfunction. Twenty-six trials were included in the analysis. Total cholesterol was significantly higher in beer drinkers compared to controls (14 studies, 3.52 mg/dL, 1.71–5.32 mg/dL). Similar increased levels were observed in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (18 studies, 3.63 mg/dL, 2.00–5.26 mg/dL) and in apolipoprotein A1 (5 studies, 0.16 mg/dL, 0.11–0.21 mg/dL), while no differences were detected in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (12 studies, -2.85 mg/dL, -5.96–0.26 mg/dL) and triglycerides (14 studies, 0.40 mg/dL, -5.00–5.80 mg/dL) levels. Flow mediated dilation (FMD) resulted significantly higher in beer-consumers compared to controls (4 studies, 0.65%, 0.07–1.23%), while blood pressure and other biochemical markers of inflammation did not differ. In conclusion, the specific beer effect on human cardiovascular health was meta-analysed for the first time, highlighting an improvement of the vascular elasticity, detected by the increase of FMD (after acute intake), and of the lipid profile with a significant increase of HDL and apolipoprotein A1 serum levels. Although the long-term effects of beer consumption are not still understood, a beneficial effect of beer on endothelial function should be supposed.

Mediterranean diet and platelet-activating factor; a systematic review

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a glycerylether lipid and one of the most potent endogenous mediators of inflammation. Through its binding to a well-characterized receptor it initiates a plethora of cellular pro-inflammatory actions participating by this way to the pathology of most chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and renal diseases, CNS decline and cancer. Among the variety of prudent dietary patterns, Mediterranean Diet (MD) is the dietary pattern with the strongest evidence for its ability to prevent the same chronic diseases. In addition, micronutrients and extracts from several components and characteristic food of the MD can favorably modulate PAF's actions and metabolism either directly or indirectly. However, the role of this traditional diet on PAF metabolism and actions has rarely been studied before. This systematic review summarizes, presents and discusses the outcomes of epidemiologic and intervention studies in humans, investigating the relationships between PAF status and MD. Seventeen full-text articles trying to interlink the components of MD and PAF are found and presented. The results are inconsistent due to the variability of the measured indices and methodology followed. However, preliminary results indicate that the characteristic "healthy" components of the MD, especially, cereals, legumes, vegetables, fish and wine can favorably modulate the pro-inflammatory actions of PAF and regulate its metabolism. Larger, well-controlled studies are necessary to elucidate whether the attenuation of PAF actions can mediate the preventive properties of MD against chronic diseases.

Strategies to decrease oxidative stress biomarker levels in human medical conditions: A meta-analysis on 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α

The widespread detection of elevated oxidative stress levels in many medical conditions has led to numerous efforts to design interventions to reduce its effects. Efforts have been wide-ranging, from dietary changes to administration of antioxidants, supplements, e.g., omega-3-fatty acids, and many medications. However, there is still no systemic assessment of the efficacy of treatments for oxidative stress reduction across a variety of medical conditions. The goal of this meta-analysis is, by combining multiple studies, to quantitate the change in the levels of the popular oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) after a variety of treatment strategies in human populations. Nearly 350 unique publications with 180 distinct strategies were included in the analysis. For each strategy, the difference between pre- or placebo and post-treatment levels calculated using Hedges' g value of effect. In general, administration of antibiotics, antihyperlipidemic agents, or changes in lifestyle (g = - 0.63, - 0.54, and 0.56) had the largest effect. Administration of supplements, antioxidants, or changes in diet (g = - 0.09, - 0.28, - 0.12) had small quantitative effects. To fully interpret the effectiveness of these treatments, comparisons to the increase in g value for each medical condition is required. For example, antioxidants in populations with coronary artery disease (CAD) reduce the 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = - 0.34 ± 0.1, which is quantitatively considered a small effect. However, CAD populations, in comparison to healthy populations, have an increase in 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = 0.38 ± 0.04; therefore, the overall reduction of 8-iso-PGF2α levels is ≈ 90% by this treatment in this specific medical condition. In conclusion, 8-iso-PGF2α levels can be reduced not only by antioxidants but by many other strategies. Not all strategies are equally effective at reducing 8-iso-PGF2α levels. In addition, the effectiveness of any strategy can be assessed only in relation to the medical condition investigated.

Risk of myocardial infarction immediately after alcohol consumption

BACKGROUND

Habitual moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI), whereas heavy (binge) drinking is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. However, less is known about the immediate effects of alcohol consumption on the risk of acute MI and whether any association differs by beverage type or usual drinking patterns.

METHODS

We conducted a case-crossover analysis of 3869 participants from the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study who were interviewed during hospitalization for acute MI in one of the 64 medical centers across the United States in 1989-1996. We compared the observed number of times that each participant consumed wine, beer, or liquor in the hour preceding MI symptom onset with the expected frequency based on each participant's control information, defined as the number of times the participant consumed alcohol in the past year.

RESULTS

Among 3869 participants, 2119 (55%) reported alcohol consumption in the past year, including 76 within 1 hour before acute MI onset. The incidence rate of acute MI onset was elevated 1.72-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37-2.16) within 1 hour after alcohol consumption. The association was stronger for liquor than for beer or wine. The higher rate was not apparent for daily drinkers. For the 24 hours after consumption, there was a 14% lower rate (relative risk = 0.86 [95% CI = 0.79-0.95]) of MI compared with periods with no alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol consumption is associated with an acutely higher risk of MI in the subsequent hour among people who do not typically drink alcohol daily.

Effect of red wine consumption on biomarkers of oxidative stress

AIMS

To evaluate the effect of acute and chronic consumption of red wine or de-alcoholized red wine with a similar antioxidant capacity on plasma total antioxidant capacity (TEAC), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and F2-isoprostanes (8-iso-PGF(2α)) in healthy men.

METHODS

Nineteen healthy men with an increased waist circumference (≥94 cm) and a body mass index above 25 kg/m(2) participated in a randomized, controlled crossover design trial. They daily consumed 450 ml of red wine (four drinks; 41.4 g alcohol) or 450 ml of de-alcoholized red wine during dinner for 4 weeks each. On the last day of each treatment period, blood was collected before and 1 h after a standardized dinner with red wine or de-alcoholized red wine and also 24-h urine was collected.

RESULTS

Absolute TEAC levels were higher 1 h after dinner with red wine compared with dinner with de-alcoholized red wine (1.3 versus 1.1 mmol Trolox equivalents/l; P = 0.03). Consumption of dinner together with de-alcoholized red wine acutely stimulated NF-κB activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (0.4-0.7 HeLa equivalents/2.5 μg protein; P = 0.006), whereas this increase was completely suppressed when the dinner was combined with red wine. A chronic increase in urinary 8-iso-PGF(2α) after 4 weeks of red wine consumption compared with de-alcoholized red wine consumption (157 pg/mg creatinine and 141 pg/mg creatinine, respectively, P = 0.006) was also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of a moderate dose of red wine can acutely increase plasma TEAC and suppress NF-κB activation induced by a meal. Controversially, 4 weeks of red wine consumption compared with de-alcoholized red wine consumption increases the oxidative lipid damage marker 8-iso-PGF(2α).

Effects of ethanol intake on lipoproteins

These review discusses the effects of ethanol on lipoprotein levels and function as related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), with special emphasis on recent publications. Ethanol's effects on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and other CVD risk factors recently have been explored. Other new data address genetic and demographic predictors and mechanisms of these responses. Not surprisingly, the results of some recent studies corroborate, whereas others differ from, earlier seemingly well-established findings. Prior and recent evidence shows favorable changes in HDL, other CVD risk factors, and CVD event rates with moderate, regular ethanol intake, and recent publications have explored the mechanisms of this relationship. Application of these findings in clinical practice remains problematic, however, due to the lack of randomized, controlled clinical trials of ethanol and due to the potential hazards of ethanol consumption.

Moderate alcohol consumption alters both leucocyte gene expression profiles and circulating proteins related to immune response and lipid metabolism in men

Moderate alcohol consumption has various effects on immune and inflammatory processes, which could accumulatively modulate chronic disease risk. So far, no comprehensive, integrative profiling has been performed to investigate the effects of longer-term alcohol consumption. Therefore, we studied the effects of alcohol consumption on gene expression patterns using large-scale profiling of whole-genome transcriptomics in blood cells and on a number of proteins in blood. In a randomised, open-label, cross-over trial, twenty-four young, normal-weight men consumed 100 ml vodka (30 g alcohol) with 200 ml orange juice or only orange juice daily during dinner for 4 weeks. After each period, blood was sampled for measuring gene expression and selected proteins. Pathway analysis of 345 down-regulated and 455 up-regulated genes revealed effects of alcohol consumption on various signalling responses, immune processes and lipid metabolism. Among the signalling processes, the most prominently changed was glucocorticoid receptor signalling. A network on immune response showed a down-regulated NF-κB gene expression together with increased plasma adiponectin and decreased pro-inflammatory IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-18, and acute-phase proteins ferritin and α1-antitrypsin concentrations (all P < 0.05) after alcohol consumption. Furthermore, a network of gene expression changes related to lipid metabolism was observed, with a central role for PPARα which was supported by increased HDL-cholesterol and several apo concentrations (all P < 0.05) after alcohol consumption. In conclusion, an integrated approach of profiling both genes and proteins in blood showed that 4 weeks of moderate alcohol consumption altered immune responses and lipid metabolism.

Food patterns, inflammation markers and incidence of cardiovascular disease: the Malmö Diet and Cancer study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations between food patterns constructed using cluster analysis and markers of systemic and vascular inflammation, and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) after 13 years of follow-up.

DESIGN

Population-based, prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

Cluster analysis identified six food patterns from 43 food group variables among 4999 subjects, aged 45-68 years, who participated in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cardiovascular programme between 1991 and 1994. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2) ), C-reactive protein concentration and white blood cell (WBC) count were measured using blood samples at baseline. Incidence of CVD (coronary events and ischaemic stroke) was monitored over 13 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

The fibre-rich bread pattern was associated with favourable effects on WBC count in women, and the low-fat and high-fibre pattern with favourable effects on Lp-PLA(2) mass in women, and on Lp-PLA(2) activity in men. However, the milk fat and sweets and cakes patterns were both associated with adverse effects; the former on WBC count in women and on Lp-PLA(2) mass in men, and the latter on WBC count and Lp-PLA(2) mass in women. The milk fat and sweets and cakes patterns were associated with increased CVD risk in women.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study support the present Nordic dietary recommendations indicating that diets rich in high-fibre, low-fat and low-sugar foods are favourably associated with markers of inflammation and, potentially, with CVD risk.

Effect of alcohol consumption on biological markers associated with risk of coronary heart disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review interventional studies of the effects of alcohol consumption on 21 biological markers associated with risk of coronary heart disease in adults without known cardiovascular disease.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline (1950 to October 2009) and Embase (1980 to October 2009) without limits.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers independently selected studies that examined adults without known cardiovascular disease and that compared fasting levels of specific biological markers associated with coronary heart disease after alcohol use with those after a period of no alcohol use (controls). 4690 articles were screened for eligibility, the full texts of 124 studies reviewed, and 63 relevant articles selected.

RESULTS

Of 63 eligible studies, 44 on 13 biomarkers were meta-analysed in fixed or random effects models. Quality was assessed by sensitivity analysis of studies grouped by design. Analyses were stratified by type of beverage (wine, beer, spirits). Alcohol significantly increased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (pooled mean difference 0.094 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval 0.064 to 0.123), apolipoprotein A1 (0.101 g/L, 0.073 to 0.129), and adiponectin (0.56 mg/L, 0.39 to 0.72). Alcohol showed a dose-response relation with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (test for trend P = 0.013). Alcohol decreased fibrinogen levels (-0.20 g/L, -0.29 to -0.11) but did not affect triglyceride levels. Results were similar for crossover and before and after studies, and across beverage types.

CONCLUSIONS

Favourable changes in several cardiovascular biomarkers (higher levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin and lower levels of fibrinogen) provide indirect pathophysiological support for a protective effect of moderate alcohol use on coronary heart disease.

Effects of ethanol intake on lipoproteins and atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews published studies regarding effects of ethanol intake on lipoprotein levels and function as they relate to atherosclerosis, with special emphasis on recent publications in the past 2 years.

RECENT FINDINGS

Some recent studies have explored novel mechanisms of ethanol on atherogenesis via effects on HDL composition and function. Other studies have focused on changes in levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, and other factors such as inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2). Other areas of emphasis have been the effects within specific populations and between genders, as well as contributions of genetic polymorphisms in prediction of response to ethanol. Surprisingly, results of recent studies are often at odds with prior, seemingly well established findings.

SUMMARY

The association between moderate ethanol consumption and favorable changes in lipoproteins and lipoprotein-related factors in atherosclerosis continues to become better established with the publication of new studies in this field. Continued progress is being achieved in understanding the well established link between moderate intake and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nevertheless, it remains difficult to implement these findings in clinical practice due to the ongoing lack of randomized, blinded clinical trial data, and the well known hazards of excess ethanol consumption.

Alcohol and acute ischemic stroke onset: the stroke onset study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous research suggests that regular heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk for ischemic stroke, whereas frequent light to moderate alcohol intake may decrease the risk. However, the risk of ischemic stroke associated with transient exposure to alcohol remains unclear. In this study, we used a case-crossover approach to test the hypothesis that alcohol consumption affects the acute risk of ischemic stroke, to determine the length of time between alcohol intake and the onset of symptoms (induction time), and to examine whether the risk varies by the type of alcohol.

METHODS

In this multicenter study, we interviewed 390 patients (209 men, 181 women) between January 2001 and November 2006 (median 3 days after stroke). Alcohol consumption in the hour before stroke symptoms was compared with its expected frequency based on the usual frequency of alcohol consumption over the prior year.

RESULTS

Of the 390 patients, 248 (64%) reported alcohol consumption in the prior year, 104 within 24 hours and 14 within 1 hour of stroke onset. The relative risk of stroke in the hour after consuming alcohol was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4 to 4.0; P=0.002). The relative risks were similar for different types of alcoholic beverages and when the sample was restricted to those who were not simultaneously exposed to other potential triggers.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of stroke onset is transiently elevated in the hour after alcohol ingestion.

Wine and oxidative stress: up-to-date evidence of the effects of moderate wine consumption on oxidative damage in humans

Wine and alcohol consumption has been considered to be protective against coronary heart disease development, an oxidative stress associated disease. Wine contains polyphenols displaying antioxidant properties tested in in vitro and in vivo studies. Due to this, a general consensus exists, both among the general public and the scientific community, that wine, particularly red wine, is an antioxidant beverage. Alcohol consumption, however, is associated with oxidative damage. Several studies have been carried out on the antioxidant health benefits of wine and wine polyphenols. However, adequate scientific evidence (Level I or II) is required to be provided before recommendations or statements which can reach the general public can be formulated. Here, we summarize the state of the art of the up-to-date body of knowledge, and the extent to which there exists evidence of the benefits of moderate wine consumption on oxidative damage in humans. From the available data, there is no evidence, at present, that sustained wine consumption provides antioxidant benefits in healthy volunteers other than to counteract a possible pro-oxidative effect of the alcohol. On the contrary, data on the antioxidant protective effect of red wine in oxidative stress situations are promising. In this way, the postprandial oxidative stress after a meal, despite the diversity of biomarkers used for its evaluation, is counteracted by the ingestion of wine. Further studies are warranted.