A Heart-Healthy Perspective on Belgium’s Drinking Culture

By Rik Vanhoof, General Manager of the Belgian Heart League

In Belgium, we take immense pride in our ‘Bourgondische’ lifestyle: a culture of indulgence where life is celebrated around a table filled with fine food and, almost inevitably, alcohol. These celebrations are often punctuated by the sound of a cork popping or the clink of a beer glass. Alcohol is woven into our social fabric; it is the silent guest at every dinner party, wedding, and Friday after-work gathering.

But as February approaches, a shift takes place. Since 2017, hundreds of thousands of Belgians have embraced Tournée Minérale, a month without alcohol. What started as a challenge has grown into a significant cultural moment: a collective ‘pause’ in a country where saying “no” to a drink is often met with the question: “Are you feeling okay?”

The Heart of the Matter

The link between alcohol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains dangerously underestimated. Beyond its impact on the liver, alcohol is a major driver of high blood pressure, heart failure, and arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

During Tournée Minérale, the benefits can be felt almost immediately: better sleep, increased energy, and a measurable reduction in blood pressure. We aren’t just giving our livers a break; we are giving our hearts room to breathe.

Our Mission in 2026

At the Belgian Heart League, we are leveraging all our platforms to bridge the gap between social norms and heart health. Through a dedicated edition of our magazine Hart & Slagaders / Cœur et Artères and a special episode of our podcast Hartstikke Goed! / Cœur en main later this year, we aim to debunk the myth of the “healthy” glass of red wine and provide evidence-based insights into the cardiovascular risks of consumption.

From Personal Choice to Public Policy

However, we cannot place the entire burden of change on individuals. If we want to reduce the alcohol-related cardiovascular burden, we need more than willpower; we need a supportive environment.

The path forward for alcohol policy should mirror evidence-based strategies that have proven effective intobacco control. At the Belgian Heart League, we advocate for structural interventions:

• Awareness: Targeted campaigns that challenge the misconception of “safe” moderate drinking, particularly for high-risk groups.
• Price & Availability: Increased taxation and stricter regulation of sales hours.
• Protection: Bans on alcohol advertising and sponsorship, especially those targeting young people.

A Toast to the Future

Tournée Minérale is a powerful initiative because it makes the ‘pause’ socially acceptable. It gives us a reason to say, “Not today, thanks.” But my hope is that the spirit of February lasts all year long. We don’t need to stop celebrating life; we simply need to stop believing that alcohol is a requirement for a life well lived.

By combining individual awareness with bold policy changes, we can ensure that the Belgian hearts stay strong, long after the month of February has ended.