Wine, Salt, and Your Heart

Wine, Salt, and Your Heart: Confusion Abounds

Survey Shows Many Americans Misunderstand the Effects of Wine and Salt on Heart Health

By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 26, 2011 -- Most Americans believe that drinking red wine is good for the heart but may not fully understand that failure to limit the amount they drink could lead to serious health problems, according to a new survey by the American Heart Association (AHA).
What’s more, most people also mistakenly believe that sea salt is a good low-sodium alternative to table salt, the survey shows.
The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted to help the AHA gauge American perceptions about wine and sodium consumption as those substances relate to heart health.
The AHA says drinking of any type of alcohol should be limited to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women. That’s about 8 ounces of wine for men and 4 ounces for women.