The effects of wine consumption on metabolic syndrome

Moderate alcohol use has been shown in prior research to significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health problem. A study analysed the effects of wine consumption on glucose, insulin, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI), some of the most important cardiovascular parameters associated with metabolic syndrome.
Researchers searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from their inception until March 14, 2025, finding 2145 articles, from which 18 studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis.
The pooled mean difference (MD) value of pre-post studies assessing the effects of wine consumption on the studied factors was -1.49 (95% CI: -3.40, 0.41) mg/dL for glucose, -1.45 (95% CI: -4.53, 1.64) μU/mL for insulin, -1.22 (95% CI: -2.08, -0.37) mmHg for systolic blood pressure, -0.18 (95% CI: -2.62, 2.25) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, and -0.40 (95% CI: -1.27, 0.46) kg/m2 for BMI. The pooled MD value of randomised controlled trial and crossover studies for the effect of wine on the studied factors was 1.98 (95% CI: -0.17, 4.13) mg/dL for glucose, -1.34 (95% CI: -2.27, 0.40) μU/mL for insulin, 0.10 (95% CI: -0.07, 0.26) mmHg for systolic blood pressure, 0.34 (95% CI: -1.70, 2.37) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, and 0.62 (95% CI: -0.31, 1.56) kg/m2 for BMI.
This systematic review and meta-analysis did not reveal any effect of wine intake on glucose, insulin, diastolic blood pressure, or BMI; a significant effect of wine consumption on systolic blood pressure was only found in pre-post studies and insulin in clinical trials. Future studies of possible effects of wine consumption on cardiovascular parameters associated with metabolic syndrome should take into account types of wine and quantities consumed, the researchers say.
Source: Lucerón-Lucas-Torres M, Guzmán-Pavón MJ, Ruiz-Grao MC, et al. The Effects of Wine Consumption on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials, Nutrition Reviews, 2025. nuaf078,