Wine @ 5

The Traditional View

Moderate, regular wine consumption — typically 1–2 glasses with friends over food — appears in 4 of the 5 Blue Zones (Sardinia, Ikaria, Nicoya, and some Okinawan traditions). Dan Buettner originally included “Wine @ 5” as one of the Power 9 principles, noting the social bonding and antioxidant properties of red wine (particularly Sardinia’s Cannonau grape).

The Updated Science

More recent research has significantly challenged the idea that any alcohol is beneficial. The World Health Organization classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen — the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Dr. Michael Greger’s comprehensive review of the cancer data concludes there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for certain cancers, particularly breast cancer.

Many earlier studies showing benefits of moderate drinking suffered from methodological flaws — they often compared moderate drinkers to “non-drinkers” who included former heavy drinkers and people who quit for health reasons. When these studies are corrected, the apparent benefits diminish or disappear.

The Loma Linda Exception

Notably, Loma Linda, California — home to Seventh-day Adventists who abstain from alcohol entirely — has some of the highest verified life expectancies on earth. This demonstrates that all the benefits of the “Wine @ 5” social ritual can be achieved without alcohol. The polyphenols in red wine can be obtained by simply eating grapes, berries, and other colourful produce.

What Actually Matters

The real benefit of “Wine @ 5” isn’t the wine — it’s the ritual of gathering with friends at the end of the day to decompress, share stories, and strengthen social bonds. This can be done just as effectively with rooibos tea, sparkling water, or grape juice.