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A MAJOR NEW study in Spain invites thousands of volunteers to assist in determining whether drinking a single glass of red wine each day is beneficial for your health.
The University of Navarra Alumni Trialist Initiative, or UNATI, is the world’s largest clinical study investigating the effects of moderate drinking.
Researchers will monitor 10,000 people between the ages of 50 and 75 over the next four-year period to see the impact daily consumption of wine, beer or spirits has on the rates of heart disease cancer, mental health disorders and overall mortality.
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Funded by the European Research Council with a grant of €2.4 million, the study is led by Professor Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, Chair of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra and a leading expert on the Mediterranean diet.
The target sample has been reached with 6,500 participants. Organizers now need another 3,500 volunteers by June 2025.
Participants must reside in Spain and be between the ages of 50-70 years old or 55-75 years old, as well as consume at least 3 alcoholic drinks per a week.
Participants who are teetotal, or have medical conditions that make alcohol consumption unsafe, cannot participate.
The Language of Speaking Olive PressProfessor Martinez-Gonzalez stated: “We have currently 6,500 participants registered.” Day by day, we are gaining more volunteers. Please help, because UNATI represents health for all.”
He added that the study is guided by two central messages: ‘We want to take better care of you’ and ‘UNATI: your health, our science.’
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will receive guidance promoting complete abstinence from alcohol, while the other will be encouraged to follow a Mediterranean-style drinking pattern – mainly fermented drinks such as wine or beer, taken in moderation with meals.
Participants will be required to complete detailed health surveys, participate in quarterly online meetings, and undergo yearly medical checks.
Over 500 professionals are involved in the study, including nutritionists, psychologists and doctors.
The University of Valladolid is coordinating the project in Castilla y Leon, and is also running a sub-study titled UNATI-Sueño, which examines the effect of alcohol on sleep quality.
The project’s monitoring arm is still looking for 100-150 people willing to spend one night in Soria under surveillance.
Researchers collect biometric and lifestyle data to create real-world evidence for future health guidelines.
Importantly, the organisers stress that the study is not intended to promote alcohol use, but rather to clarify whether moderate consumption can play a beneficial role in health – or not.
For those who drink moderately already, this is a rare opportunity to participate in an international study that will change the way we live and improve our health.
