Now, wine has bigger cheer group than beer in B'luru

Health benefits push up sales; It's good, but don't overdo it: Docs

Bengalureans’ love for wine seems to have increased compared to beer, with the consumption of the former registering an increase.

Excise officials point out that people, especially women and college girls, are preferring wine. Though other liquors are popular, wine has found a prominent place in social circles. Unlike beer, wine is not limited to any age group or the elite segment.

According to the Karnataka State Wine Board (KSWB), Bengalureans consumed 60 lakh litres of wine in the financial year 2014-15. In 2015-16 (till December 31, 2015), they drank a whopping 78 lakh litres.

KSWB Managing Director Somu T told Deccan Herald that sale of wine had increased in the City and State because people are developing a taste for it. Availability has also increased, he said.

There are 300 wine taverns and 150 wine boutiques in Karnataka, 90 per cent in Bengaluru alone. Many retailers are selling wine along with other liquors. Consumer awareness has increased over the years and they have realised wine’s health importance, it is said.

The sale of fortified wine in December 2015 was 4,86,864 litres and of fruit wine 3,90,303 litres. A whopping 90 per cent of the sales was in Bengaluru. On December 25, 2015, Bengalureans consumed 30,240 litres and 43,879 litres on December 31, 2015. On December 25, 2014, as many as 25,240 litres was consumed and on December 31, 2014, the consumption was 40,000 litres.

According to the Excise department, 48,708 beer cartons were sold on December 23, 2015 to retailers. On December 31, 2015, as many as 33,519 cartons were sold. On December 23, 2014 and December 31, 2014, retailers bought 26,406 and 81,291 beer cartons, respectively.

Dr H Paramesh, Director, paediatric pulmonologist, Lakeside Hospital, said that wine has nutritional and antioxidant properties. Air pollution, viral infections and allergies damage tissues from oxidative stress. To prevent it, one needs antioxidants regularly, wine is a source for it. Red wine has more antioxidants than white. But, it cannot be advised for children. The liver can metabolise 30 ounce (millilitre) per hour, he said.

Dr C N Manjunath, director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said that wine has non-inflammatory properties. People in France consume home-made wine daily and it is noticed that prevalence of heart attacks is less in them compared to others.

“We do not advise wine consumption. People read or hear about it and ask us. We say that it is not bad for health, but quantity is important as excessive consumption leads to addiction. It should not be more that 150 ml per day,” he said.