Spain Seeks 10,000 Volunteers to Drink Wine Daily for Four Years to Study Health Effects

A Study Like No Other

In what may be one of the most unusual health studies to date, Spain’s University of Navarra is looking for 10,000 volunteers to take part in a four-year clinical trial that involves drinking wine every day.

The Research: UNATI

Known as the University of Navarra Alumni Trialist Initiative (UNATI), this research is considered the largest global study examining the long-term health impacts of moderate alcohol consumption.

It also received €2.4 million (approx. S$3.5 million) in funding from the European Research Council.

What is the Goal?

The goal of the study is to determine whether drinking alcohol in moderation is beneficial, harmful, or neither when compared to not drinking at all.

Researchers will track the impact on heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

According to reports, the study is structured as a ‘non-inferiority trial’, which brings the meaning that it aims to find out whether moderate alcohol consumption is at least not worse than avoiding alcohol altogether, especially in terms of major health risks.

Who Is Eligible to Join?

To qualify for the trial, participants must:

Live in Spain
Be a man aged 50–70 or a woman aged 55–75
Already drink at least three alcoholic drinks per week
Be in good enough health to drink safely

Those who do not drink alcohol or have medical conditions cannot participate. The study is specifically focused on people who are already moderate drinkers.

How Long Will It Last?

Recruitment for the study will remain open until June 2025. Once accepted, each participant will stay in the trial for four full years.

As of May 2025, over 6,500 people have already signed up, and researchers are working to reach the target of 10,000.

What Will Participants Do?

According to Olive Press, volunteers will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

One group will follow the Mediterranean Alcohol Drinking Pattern (MADP), which involves drinking fermented beverages like wine or beer in moderation, always with meals, and spaced throughout the week.
The other group will be asked to avoid alcohol completely during the study.

During the 4-year research, participants will:

Complete a 40-minute health survey at the beginning and end
Attend quarterly online check-ins with health professionals
Receive an annual medical check-up
Provide updates on metrics such as emotional health, weight, and overall condition.

Support from Healthcare Professionals

The trial is supported by a network of more than 500 trained professionals, including doctors, psychologists, and nutritionists.

These experts will help monitor participants’ health and guide them throughout the study.

The research team emphasizes that the trial is not promoting alcohol use.

Rather, it aims to provide reliable data that could inform future public health recommendations, particularly for older adults who already consume alcohol moderately.