Regular Alcohol Intake Cuts the Heart Attack Risk

Source: Tufts University
February 14, 2003

You've probably heard that drinking alcohol may reduce your risk for heart disease. While those who enjoy the occasional drink may welcome this news, researchers have yet to determine how people can best incorporate this information into their lives.

No one knows for sure exactly how much alcohol or what type of alcohol is most beneficial, or how often it should be consumed. Now a study in the New England Journal of Medicine sheds further light on the subject, finding that the drinking pattern, rather than the type of beverage, is important for determining a lower risk for heart disease.

A large-scale study

For this analysis the researchers polled more than 38,000 middle aged and older men several times over a 12-year period, asking them what type and how much alcohol they consumed in a typical week. The researchers then noted the number of men who suffered a heart attack during the course of the study.

After accounting for other factors that affect heart disease risk, they found that men who drank alcohol 3 to 7 days a week were about 30% less likely to suffer a heart attack when compared with those who consumed alcohol less than once a week. The type of alcohol - beer, wine, or distilled spirits - did not appear to make a difference, nor did it matter whether or not the men consumed the alcohol with meals.

Why does alcohol help?

Scientists already know that alcohol contributes to higher levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol, a factor that can help lower a person's risk of heart disease. Certain ingredients in alcoholic beverages may also make the blood less likely to clot, which would provide protection from a heart attack.

Some studies of the health benefits of alcohol have focused specifically on red wine, in part because it is a prime source of resveratrol, a plant chemical thought to help control cholesterol-related damage to the arteries. In this present study, though, neither red nor white wine appeared to have an edge over other types of alcoholic beverages.

Should alcohol be part of a heart healthy diet?

Alcohol appears to have some role in lowering the risk of heart disease. But as the authors of this study point out, a steady intake of alcohol can cause more problems than it fixes - it increases the risk of other diseases, including some types of cancer, and can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. At the very least, it adds calories, something too many people are already getting in excess.

As in most aspects of diet and nutrition, 'moderation' is the key word. Current US dietary guidelines advise men to limit their intake of alcohol to no more than two drinks per day; the limit for women is one drink per day. (By US standards a drink is equal to 4 oz of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1 1/2 oz distilled spirits.)

It is worth noting that the American Heart Association does not endorse the use of alcohol as a way to reduce the risk of heart disease. It emphasizes that there are better ways - like diet and exercise - to keep HDL in the healthy range, and urges consumers not to add a glass of wine to their daily routine solely for the purpose of keeping their heart healthy.

Source

• Roles of drinking pattern and type of alcohol consumed in coronary heart disease in men. K. Mukamal, K. Conigrave, M. Mittleman,  et al., New Engl J Med, 2003, vol. 348, pp. 109--118

Related Links
A Closer Look at Alcohol and Health
What's the Best Diet For Preventing Heart Disease?
Wine Linked to Better Mental Function in Seniors
Moderate Drinking May Cut Diabetes Risk in Older Women
Should You Drink To Your Health?
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