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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Traditional drink at the end of the year, mulled wine is present on the stalls of all Christmas markets. But does this drink have any health benefits? The explanations of Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.
You’ve probably drunk it if you’ve had the opportunity to go to a Christmas market: the star drink of the end-of-year celebrations is of course mulled wine. But if consuming it is a tradition for some, does the drink have any health benefits?
A mood-boosting drink
Composed of wine, most of the time red, spices, those of your choice (cinnamon, anise, cloves, etc.) and orange (sometimes lemon), the base of traditional mulled wine is always the same. One could think of finding health virtues in the drink, but it is not in this perspective that it should actually be consumed. According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, mulled wine is above all “a convivial drink, which is pleasant during the festive period: it warms up and is good for morale”.
No real health benefits
Be careful though, if it contains fruits and spices, the drink remains mainly composed of alcohol. This is why, tempers Dr Gérald Kierzek, “there are always risks associated with alcohol when it is consumed. Because alcohol, unlike water, does not hydrate“recalls the specialist. Without forgetting the other risks, such as those related to driving. Mulled wine is therefore like all other drinks containing alcohol: to be consumed in moderation.