Drinking wine is good for your kidneys

But now, new research suggests the odd glass could actually be good for the health.Moderate wine consumption could help keep the kidneys healthy and may protect the hearts of people who already have kidney disease.Researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver found that people who drink less than one glass of wine a day have a 37 per cent lower prevalence of chronic kidney disease than those who drink no wine at all.And, people who have chronic kidney disease are 29 per cent less likely to also have heart disease if they drink a small amount of wine.The researchers, led by Dr Tapan Mehta, used 2003 to 2006 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on 5,852 individuals, 1,031 of whom had chronic kidney disease.Thomas Manley, director of scientific activities at the National Kidney Foundation, said: ‘Similar to previous studies showing that moderate wine consumption appears to impart some health benefit by lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes, this study suggests an association between moderate wine consumption (less than one glass per day) and lower rates of chronic kidney disease.’Moderation is the key for kidney patients when it comes to alcohol consumption, with a few caveats, he added. ‘Excess alcohol consumption has definitely been shown to have negative effects on kidney function.‘Alcohol can also worsen hypertension, a major cause of chronic kidney disease, so those with poorly controlled hypertension should definitely limit the amount of alcohol they consume. ‘It's also important to consider the nutritional contents of the various alcoholic drinks to be sure they comply with the prescribed renal diet.’The researchers are not sure exactly why wine is linked to good kidney health.Dr Mehta says it could be because moderate drinking is linked to lower levels of protein in the urine and that those with kidney problems tend to have higher urine protein levels.And while he cannot be sure, Dr Mehta says it is possible red wine is more protective against heart and kidney problems than white wine is.(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az