Perceptions of positive effects of Malvazija istarska moderate wine consumption on human health and psychological functioning - a preliminary study

Since the discovery of the so-called ‘French paradox’ by Renaud & de Lorgeril, M. (1992), a diet of high fat and cholesterol intake along with red wine that does not negatively impact health, such as cardiovascular risks, medical surveys found more positive relations of wine and health and more biochemical substances with positive effects on human health (Anekonda 2016 ; Golderg . The positive effects include blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood lipids, diabetes, obesity regulation, prevention of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. In addition to the positive impact on physical health, evidence exist on positive impacts of phenolic compounds (stilbenes, especially resveratrol) on mental health regarding protecting neuronal cells from damage, preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases, treating depression, improving cognitive function, and increasing memory (Ares et al., 2015 ; Diener et al., 1999 ; Guilemin et al., 2016). The positive psychological responses of humans caused by moderate wine consumption respond to a positive sense psychological well-being, fewer or no symptoms of depression, and a higher level of positive affects and lower negative affects. During the scientific project “Vinum Sanum” several research questions were set and hypothesis upon whom surveys were conducted. The surveys included questions about human behaviour towards wine, medical aspects of wine consumption, comparison of consumers and non-consumers perceptions about health attributes of wine. The study was carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki developed by the World Medical Association and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka (Croatia).The purpose of the study presented in this article was to show how wine consumers perceive wine and how it affects their psychological state. The main objective of this survey was to provide evidence about moderate wine consumption of Malvazija istarska on human health, the possible positive effects of wine consumption on psychological well-being and to detect positive perceptions towards wine. The objective was achieved by testing participants during a period of six weeks of moderate wine consumption of autochthonous Croatian grapevine variety Malvazija istarska (Vitis vinifera L.) produced in Istria county. The data were collected from wine consumers at two time points (in June and July 2019) before and after wine consumption with a self-completed questionnaire that was administered by trained researchers. Two questionnaires were used, one to measure the psychological response of the influence of moderate wine consumption and one to measure the perception of wine and its health attributes. Variables were measured with the Likert scale (1-5 for wine attributes and 1-10 for psychological affects). For data processing descriptive analysis (M, SD), and factor analysis were used. Results indicate the awareness of positive health aspects of wine consumption, connected to the positive effects of wine on cardiovascular health (namely, heart, blood vessels health and levels of blood cholesterol). Wine was perceived as a natural and healthy beverage, in a positive sense with its relaxation, hedonistic effects and quality attributes (ageing/vintage, terroir, micro region/vineyards). The psychological affects/subjective well-being included negative stress affects (being nervous, anxious and under pressure) that were explained by everyday pressures of work and family obligations. The construct of negative affects was separate from the positive affects expressed with feelings of happiness, emotional stability and positive general well-being feelings. The obtained results about positive effects of moderate wine consumption may be useful for other researchers in medical branches who question if moderate wine consumption has positive of negative effects on human health, and may serve in current discussions at the World Health Organization on wine and health.