Moderate Wine Consumption, Defined by the Mediterranean Diet, Is Associated With Delayed Biological Aging in Men From the Moli-sani Study

TL;DR

Moderate wine consumption, as defined by the Mediterranean Diet, is linked to slower biological aging in men.

Contribution

This study identifies a specific association between moderate wine consumption and delayed biological aging in men.

Findings

Moderate wine consumption (as per Mediterranean Diet guidelines) was associated with slower biological aging in men.

A J-shaped dose–response curve showed the slowest aging at around 170 mL/day of wine.

Overall ethanol intake at higher doses was linked to faster biological aging.

Abstract

To investigate the association between wine consumption and biological aging in the Moli-sani Study.

Dietary data were assessed using a 188-item FFQ. Participants (n = 22,495) were classified as abstainers, former drinkers, moderate drinkers according to national guidelines (≤250 mL/d men; ≤125 mL/d women) or Mediterranean Diet (MD) (125–500 mL/d men; 62.5–250 mL/d women), and heavy drinkers (>500 mL/d men; >250 mL/d women). Biological age (BA) was estimated with a deep neural network using 36 circulating biomarkers, and Δage (BA–chronological age) served as an index of biological aging.

In men, wine consumption, at doses defined moderate by a current MD Score, was associated with slower biological aging (Δage β = −0.39; 95%CI: −0.78, −0.01 vs. abstainers). Dose–response analyses showed a J-shaped curve, with the slowest Δage at ∼170 mL/d (Δage = −0.34 years; 95%CI: −0.66, −0.03). Overall ethanol intake, including all alcoholic beverages consumed, was neutral at moderate levels and associated with faster biological aging at higher doses.

Moderate wine consumption, but not overall ethanol intake, may contribute to slower biological aging in men.

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