The Effects of Wine Consumption on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

CONTEXT: 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.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of wine consumption on glucose, insulin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and body mass index (BMI), some of the most important cardiovascular parameters associated with metabolic syndrome.

DATA SOURCES: To perform this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from their inception until March 14, 2025.

DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 2145 articles were identified by the search, from which 18 studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA ANALYSIS: The DerSimonian and Laird methods were used to determine the mean differences (MDs) of the different parameters included. The risk of bias assessment was assessed via the Rob2 and ROBINS-I tools, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool (GRADE) certainty assessment was also performed. The pooled 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 SBP, -0.18 (95% CI: -2.62, 2.25) mmHg for DBP, and -0.40 (95% CI: -1.27, 0.46) kg/m2 for BMI. The pooled MD value of randomized 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 SBP, 0.34 (95% CI: -1.70, 2.37) mmHg for DBP, and 0.62 (95% CI: -0.31, 1.56) kg/m2 for BMI.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis did not reveal any effect of wine intake on glucose, insulin, DBP, or BMI; a significant effect of wine consumption on SBP 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.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023396666.