The Truth about Alcohol and Heart Health

Is Drinking Actually Good for You?

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietician

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The idea that alcohol may be good for your heart has been around for a while. While moderate drinking may offer health benefits, drinking more can cause a host of health problems. So should you turn to alcohol to protect your heart? Here's what you need to know, from what alcohol can really do, to how much you should drink, to which types of drinks—if any—are healthier than others. Use this information in conjunction with your healthcare provider's advice.

Research on Alcohol and Heart Disease
In several studies of diverse populations, moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for certain cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease. These studies were observational—not experimental—and therefore had some limitations. However, they showed the need for experimental studies regarding alcohol intake and heart disease. So in 1999, a meta-analysis was conducted on all experimental studies to date to assess the effects of moderate alcohol intake on various health measures (such as HDL "good" cholesterol levels and triglycerides), and other biological markers associated with risk of coronary heart disease. As research on this topic continued to expand, researchers conducted another systematic review of 63 studies that examined adults without known cardiovascular disease before and after alcohol use. This latest meta-analysis was published in a 2011 issue of the British Medical Journal (get a link to the full report in the Sources section below).

The analysis of these numerous studies suggests that moderate alcohol consumption (defined below) helps to protect against heart disease by:

Raising HDL "good" cholesterol
Increasing apolipoprotein A1, a protein that has a specific role in lipid (fat) metabolism and is a major component of HDL "good" cholesterol
Decreasing fibrinogen, a soluble plasma glycoprotein that is a part of blood clot formation
Lowering blood pressure
Reducing plaque accumulation in the arteries
Decreasing the clumping of platelets and the formation of blood clots

However, these studies did not show any relationship between moderate alcohol intake and total cholesterol level or LDL "bad" cholesterol. And while some studies associated alcohol intake to increased triglycerides, the most recent analysis of moderate alcohol intake in healthy adults showed no such relationship. Continued ›

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About The Author

Becky Hand
Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. Through her company, An Ounce of Prevention, she makes nutrition principles practical, easy to apply and fun. See all of Becky's articles.

Member Comments

TRENDSWORLD

Moderate Drinking Increases Heart Diseases for more information.

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People think that is a fashion to drink now-a-days and feels it as a modern culture. But doctors are saying that the people with heart diseases who drink more will have increased risk of heart diseases. In the recent study, the drinking has…. - 2/1/2013 8:05:25 AM
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ALDEBARANIAN

The study I'd like to see, and probably much more to the point, would compare drinking red wine with eating concord, red, or other grapes. I'll bet it would show that you can get all same antioxidants, plus many other healthy substances (such as phytonutrients) that are destroyed by the sterilization, fermentation, and pasteurization that wine undergoes, in an inexpensive and healthy package.
I think I'll stick to bread sauerkraut, and miso for my fermented foods. - 9/18/2012 3:58:18 PM
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KMZAGGIRL

As a physiologist, we talk a lot about this in my field. We concern ourselves with heart health primarily. The benefits of ONE drink seem to diminish any possible negative effects. What seems most important is to be an informed consumer, as we should with anything, and do what seems right for us and our bodies and being an adovate in our own health. ONE drink is also great for stress reduction and promoting relaxation, all of which also promote better immunity and counteract dangerous side effects of stress-related illnesses. Just some food (or drink) for thought! - 9/18/2012 1:19:20 PM
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SVELTEONE8

Alcohol also increases Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. There are many internet articles supporting this statement. - 9/18/2012 5:41:19 AM
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RONNIER3

Very timely article with a good message. - 9/18/2012 1:47:48 AM
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FITALLEY

It makes me crazy that people still push alcohol. In my family there is a history of cancer and alcoholism. The American Cancer Society begs people to completely avoid alcohol as it increases various cancers tremendously (especially breast cancer). And any family that has dealt with alcoholism knows how completely destructive it is. I would personally rather die of a heart attack. There are plenty of other ways to improve your heart health that have no ill side-effects, and I would highly recommend trying out those avenues first. - 9/18/2012 12:34:55 AM
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NAOLEE

In my family is a history of cancer. My two grandmas died of breast cancer, two aunts with mastectomy and I'm waiting for the surgeon. Never drinks. - 8/20/2012 10:42:54 PM
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DAISYDORK

hmm.. now I don't usually drink, but my DOCTOR actually recommend me have one glass of red wine a day to lower my blood pressure, help with my anxiety, help with the heart diease that runs in my family, and lower your risk of alzheimers as well. But of course anything in moderation and like the article said heavy drinking and binge drinking can cause more problems then this can help, but one glass of red wine a day seems to have been helping with my blood pressure, anxiety and chlorestrol over the last year. - 10/30/2011 8:39:39 PM
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CIRANDELLA

There's a family history of breast cancer, so I don't drink. - 10/30/2011 10:18:47 AM
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HAWKTHREE

Excellent article - 9/21/2011 11:45:13 AM
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PAMMIEWAMMIE

Women should know that daily alcohol use is a risk factor for breast cancer (much higher risk than long term hormone use) so as a gynecologist I tell patients to limit alcohol to once or twice weekly. - 9/21/2011 8:42:31 AM
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