Investigators in the study, which was conducted at several hospitals in Spain, found by regression analysis that daily, light alcohol use (up to 20 g. per day) was an independent protective factor against peptic lesion induced upper GI bleeding. About 11 percent of cases and 15 percent of controls consumed alcohol at this rate and greater than 97 percent of alcohol consumed was red wine, all according to interviews with patients and family members conducted during hospital or clinic visits.

Heavy alcohol use (more than 50 g per day) was found to be an independent risk factor for upper GI bleeding. The researchers said they expected some cardiovascular patients could take back their daily aspirin regimen for the prevention of ischemic heart disease by implementing a combination of light daily red wine intake coupled with antisecretory drugs, which were also found to be a protective factor against bleeding.

This study is believed to be the first demonstrating that small amounts of red wine may reduce the risk of upper GI bleeding.