Moderate Consumption of Alcohol Helps Prevent Heart Disease

This article talks about how drinking alcohol in moderation can help to prevent heart disease. Research from professor William Ghali from the University of Calgary, says that individuals who drink alcohol and have one drink a day or less are 14-25% less likely to develop heart disease, when compared to those who don’t drink alcohol at all. In addition, Dr Susan Brien, also from the University of Calgary, found that moderate consumption of alcohol (up to one drink or 15 g alcohol per day for women and up to two drinks or 30 g alcohol per day for men) is good for health. Moderate consumption of alcohol increases amounts of good cholesterol circulating through the body, which has a protective effect against heart disease.

In addition professor Ghali conducted research and stated that it was the most comprehensive research to date. Ghali and colleagues reviewed 84 studies of alcohol consumption and heart disease. They compared alcohol drinkers with non-drinkers and their outcomes in relation to heart disease, death from heart disease, incidences of stroke and death from having a stroke.

In a companion study, Dr. Brien and colleagues reviewed 63 studies and investigated alcohol consumption with known physical markers for heart disease such as cholesterol, levels of inflammation, fat cells and the condition of blood vessels. They also assessed the impact of the type of alcohol consumed (wine, beer and spirits). Brien’s research found that it is the alcohol that provides the health benefits and not the type of alcohol that is consumed.

Lastly in the article professor Ghali said “ ‘with respect to public health messages there may now be an impetus to better communicate to the public that alcohol, in moderation, may have overall health benefits that outweigh the risks in selected subsets of patients.’”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217078.php

Andrew Janicki - VTPP 435 - Section 501