Glass of Wine May Support Kidney Health

Often caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Tapan Mehta, from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center (Colorado, USA), and colleagues analyzed  data collected on nearly 6,000 subjects enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination, 2003-2006.  The team found that those subjects with healthy kidneys who drank less than one glass of wine a day were at 37% lower risk of having chronic kidney disease than those who drank no wine.  Further, the data revealed that those with chronic kidney disease who drank less than one glass a day had a 29% lower risk of cardiovascular than those who drank no wine.   The study authors posit that drinking moderate amounts lowers levels of protein in the urine, elevated levels of which among those who have kidney disease are linked with an increased risk of progression of kidney disease.  As well, they submit that the polyphenols found in wine have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help explain the protective heart effects.