Drink less alcohol for a healthy heart
Limit your daily tipple to improve your cardiovascular health
You might want to resist having that glass of wine before bed.
A 2014 study by the BMJ reveals that reducing alcohol consumption, even if you are a light-to-moderate drinker can improve heart health and reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease. Reduced alcohol consumption can also help you lose weight, maintain a healthier body mass index and lower blood pressure.
This finding negates long-standing research that suggests light to moderate drinking may be beneficial for the heart. By definition, light to moderate drinking is equivalent to consuming 17 to 23ml of alcohol a day, which is equivalent to a 175ml glass of wine.
Researchers focus on ADH1B gene
Researchers examined the links between drinking habits and heart health based on 56 studies covering over 260,000 people of European descent. More specifically, the study focused on people with a particular gene called ADH1B.
Those with ADH1B, who are known to be more sensitive and intolerant to alcohol, were found consuming 17 percent less alcohol per week than non-carriers of the gene. They were also less likely to binge drink and were more capable of forgoing alcohol completely. As a result, they had on average a 10 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease, a lower BMI and lower blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that keeping alcohol consumption as minimal as possible can be good for the heart.
"Contrary to what earlier reports have shown, it now appears that any exposure to alcohol has a negative impact upon heart health. However, what we're seeing with this new study, which uses an investigative approach similar to a randomised clinical trial, is that reduced consumption of alcohol, even for light-to-moderate drinkers, may lead to improved cardiovascular health,” says the study’s co-lead author Michael Holmes, a research assistant professor in Perelman School of Medicine's department of Transplant Surgery.
Further link:
BMJ.COM
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