Is red wine good for the liver? Harvard doctor reveals a shocking truth

Is red wine really good for your health? You’ve probably heard at least one person swear by its benefits, claiming that a daily dose can boost heart health and even protect the liver.

Red wine has long been considered a ‘healthier’ drink among other alcoholic beverages. But is it? Dr Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard- and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist, warns of the shocking health effects of consuming red wine, especially on the liver.

Red wine and liver disease

Dr Sethi debunked one of the most common health myths — that red wine is good for the heart. In a recent video shared on Instagram, the doctor discussed a case from his clinical experience that reveals the hidden dangers of this misconception. “I just evaluated a patient for a liver transplant. He has long-standing fatty liver from being overweight, and he had been drinking red wine daily because he thought it was good for the heart,” the doctor said.The patient consumed red wine, believing it was good for his heart. What was supposed to be a healthy habit turned out to be the biggest villain, worsening his liver condition. “That daily alcohol, on top of fatty liver, accelerated fibrosis to cirrhosis. Now he needs a liver transplant,” the doctor revealed.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that no level of alcohol is safe. Alcohol was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago.

People with liver conditions such as fatty liver or Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) should steer clear of alcohol. Alcoholic red wine worsens MASLD (previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). “The key point is, if you have fatty liver — that is, MASLD — the safest amount of alcohol is zero, even red wine.

Stop believing the myth that red wine is good for you,” the doctor said.

Debunking the myth that a daily dose of red wine can improve health, the doctor added, “Alcohol plus fatty liver accelerates liver damage, inflammation, and fibrosis far faster than people realise. This video isn’t meant to scare you — it’s to bust a myth that’s quietly harming a lot of people.”

A new study by researchers at Keck Medicine of USC, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that alcohol-related liver disease has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Americans who drink heavily are more than twice as likely to develop significant liver disease compared to 20 years ago, the study found.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.