Potential health risk from metal ions in many wines

Washington, October 30 : Health benefits of wine have been thrown into doubt after a recent study revealed that a regular tipple contains dangerous levels of metal ions, which can cause potential health risks.

Wines from Argentina, Brazil and Italy were the only ones that were estimated to be safe with their various levels of metal content - as per a survey that analysed wines from 16 countries.

According to a detailed study by Professor Declan Naughton and Doctor Andrea Petr³czi from Kingston University, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for most wines is estimated to be well below the safe limit of 1.0.

While potential maximum THQ values ranged from 50 to 200, the THQ values for both red and white wines studied presented values ranging from 30 to 80 based on a 250mL glass per day.

Naughton said: "These values are concerning, in that they are mainly above the THQ value of 1.0. Excess intake of metal ions is credited with pathological events such as Parkinson's disease.

"In addition to neurological problems, these ions are also believed to enhance oxidative damage, a key component of chronic inflammatory disease which is a suggested initiator of cancer".

The study, published in the open access Chemistry Central Journal, further initiated doubts on the popular belief that claims a glass of red wine per day provided health benefits owing to its content of 'anti-oxidants'.

ANI