Moderate alcohol intake produces benefits

To stay "heart healthy," adults should eat a low-fat diet, exercise regularly, and... have a beer? We've heard about the potential health benefits of red wine, but two recent studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that a light-to-moderate intake of any kind of alcoholic beverage may be beneficial.

In one analysis, more than 2200 Connecticut-based men and women over age 65 provided information as to how much alcohol they had consumed within the previous month. About half were non-drinkers. The alcohol drinkers were divided into light drinkers who usually consumed up to 1 to 1.5 drinks per day, and moderate drinkers, who consumed up to an average 1.5 to 4 drinks per day. (Heavier drinkers were excluded.)

Researchers then kept track of the participants over the next 14 years, noting who in the group suffered from heart failure during that time. After taking into account factors that can affect heart health--age, gender, and a medical history of diabetes or high blood pressure--researchers found that both light and moderate drinkers were less likely than non-drinkers to suffer from heart failure.

More evidence of health benefits

The second study also looked at alcohol intake and heart health. Boston researchers assessed the usual alcohol intake of more than 1900 people who had just survived a heart attack. They were divided into three groups: non-drinkers, those who routinely consumed less than 7 drinks per week, and those who consumed more than 7 drinks per week. During almost 4 years of follow-up, the regular drinkers in the group were less likely than non-drinkers to succumb to heart disease and die.

Although these two studies differ in design, both highlight a point that scientists have been commenting on for some time -- that light-to-moderate intake of alcohol appears to reduce the risk of heart disease.

How does it work?

Alcohol may help keep the walls of blood vessels healthy--both by increasing levels of "good" HDL cholesterol molecules that keep harmful fat particles in check, and by making blood less like to clot and block arteries. The kind of drinks consumed by the people in these studies did not appear to make a difference--the alcohol in beer, wine, or spirits seemed to have an equal effect.

Is this an invitation to drink up?

No. Authors of both studies are quick to point out that while alcohol appears to play a role in heart health, it complicates other medical conditions and may increase the risk of some kinds of cancer. In addition, a steady intake of alcohol can trigger an unhealthy rise in blood triglyceride levels, which is itself a potential risk factor for heart disease in some people.

The researchers do not advise a non-drinker to begin drinking solely on the results of these studies. For people who do enjoy alcohol, a reasonable limit is about 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women (in spite of the fact that that some of the drinkers in these studies were consuming substantially more than that). In the US, a serving of alcohol is equal to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor. As always, you should talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not alcohol should be part of your daily routine.