Docs say this alcoholic drink could actually shield your heart—here’s why

New research is stirring debate in cardiology circles: Despite mounting evidence that no amount of alcohol is "safe," a new study suggests that consumption of champagne or white wine may actually reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. ^[]

The findings, presented by researchers at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 2025 conference, analyzed data from nearly 500,000 people.

The effects of alcohol on the heart

“Research on the underlying mechanisms remains unclear, but these findings reinforce the idea that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be more complex than previously assumed,” the study authors wrote. ^[]

This is hardly the first time alcohol has been positioned as a potential cardiac ally. The so-called “French Paradox” has long suggested that red wine might explain France’s relatively low rates of coronary heart disease despite a high-fat diet. ^[] However, recent research has mostly debunked the idea that there's any health benefit to be found in any kind of alcohol—until now.

This latest research zeroes in specifically on sudden cardiac arrest—a notoriously unpredictable and deadly event, often due to arrhythmias rather than atherosclerotic disease alone.

Still, how does this finding square with updated clinical guidance, which increasingly cautions that any amount of alcohol can raise the risk of cancer, atrial fibrillation, and other health issues?

As editorialists in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology have previously noted, population-level messages about alcohol must prioritize net harm, even when nuanced benefits exist in specific scenarios. ^[]

However, the dose makes the poison: Excessive consumption quickly negates any protective effect, tipping the balance toward alcohol’s well-documented harms. ^[]

What doctors should consider

As physicians, this research is a reminder that patient counseling on alcohol remains highly individualized. It's not simply a matter of issuing blanket abstinence recommendations or blanket endorsements.

Instead, nuanced discussions that consider a patient's overall risk profile, personal habits, and comorbidities are key.

Bottom line? Champagne and white wine may offer a small heart-protective effect—but it’s not a prescription. Lifestyle measures like smoking cessation, exercise, blood pressure control, and diabetes management still far outpace alcohol as tools for preventing sudden cardiac death.