EFFECTS OF RED WINE ON 24-HOUR ESOPHAGEAL PH AND PRESSURES IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of red wine taken with meals on esophageal motility, esophageal exposure to acid, and ga stric pH. Following a randomized design, 14 healthy male volunteers (m ean age 25 years, range 18-35 years were given 360 mi of red wine or t ap water during lunch or dinner. All subjects underwent ambulatory 24- hr esophageal motility and esophagogastric pH monitoring studies. Thre e different periods were analyzed: during meals (30 min), postprandial (3 hr), and 8-hr supine. Two volunteers complained of heartburn after wine ingestion. An increase in the number of high amplitude waves (>1 25 mm Hg, 95th percentile of our motility unit controls) was observed during meals accompanied by wine: water 1.2 (0-10.2), wine 1.6 (0-32.6 ), P = 0.02 [median (range)]. No other esophageal motility changes occ urred. Percent reflux time increased during the postprandial period af ter wine ingestion in comparison with water: 1.7 (0-14.9) vs 0.1 (0-0. 8), P < 0.05. Gastric pH was unaffected by the type of drink. Ingestio n of moderate amounts of red wine with meals increases postprandial es ophageal exposure to gastric acid in healthy persons.