Topline
Light and moderate drinking could reduce the risk of long-term heart disease by lowering stress levels in the brain, according to a new study published Monday, building upon years of research into the short-term effects a glass of wine could have on people’s heart health, though researchers warn alcohol still comes with some serious health drawbacks.
Light and moderate drinking could prove beneficial for drinkers’ long-term heart health, researchers … [+]
Key Facts
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found a connection between light to moderate alcohol consumption—defined as one drink per day for women and between one and two for men—and a long-term reduction in the brain’s stress signals to the body, serving as a possible explanation for the long-documented tie between light drinking and improved health.
Lower stress signals from the brain found in people who drink a light to moderate amount were linked to a reduction in cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, according to a study of more than 53,000 people published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Researchers, who controlled for genetic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors such as employment and physical activity, found a “substantial reduction” in the risk of cardiovascular disease events in light and moderate drinkers, following up on a series of previous studies that have linked drinking to short-term stress reduction.
The study also analyzed more than 750 participants’ PET and CT brain scans, finding light and moderate drinkers whose stress levels declined in the amygdala—a part of the brain that reacts to intense or threatening stimulation—also showed lower levels of heart attacks or strokes.
Participants who had a history of stress and anxiety had even greater health benefits: Researchers found people prone to high stress and anxiety levels who drank a light or moderate amount had twice the cardiac-protective effects than those without high stress and anxiety.
Contra
Even though the study indicates drinking tends to have positive health implications, Ahmed Tawakol, the study’s senior author and the director of MGH’s Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, warns alcohol should not be considered the sole remedy for heart disease or used as the single measure to reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to myriad health defects: Researchers found any amount of alcohol increases the risk of developing cancer, while high levels of drinking (more than 14 drinks per week) can increase the risk of heart attacks and lower brain activity overall, potentially impairing cognitive health. According to the World Health Organization and a review by the Lancet Public Health released in January, there is “no safe amount” of alcohol consumption, labeling alcohol a “toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance” that has been classified as a carcinogen at the same level as tobacco, asbestos and radiation. Excessive drinking is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and accounts for one in five deaths among people ages 20 to 49, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with common health conditions including liver disease, cancer, high blood pressure and stroke, as well as short-term effects like alcohol poisoning.
Key Background
Previous studies have suggested people who drink a light and moderate amount of alcohol could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease events compared to people who abstained from drinking, though researchers had not previously determined whether it was the alcohol that was leading to direct cardiovascular benefits, or if drinkers’ behavior and even socioeconomic status played a role. Other studies have linked drinking to lower brain activity in the amygdala, causing a drop in blood pressure and heart rate—high blood pressure and heart rate can otherwise trigger the release of inflammatory cells, and over time lead to long-term increases in hypertension and inflammation and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as diabetes and obesity.
Further Reading
Brits Rejoice: Study Links Drinking Tea To Reduced Risk Of Diabetes (Forbes)
Why Pinot Noir May Be The Best Wine For Your Health (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/06/12/light-and-moderate-drinking-could-improve-long-term-heart-health-study-finds-heres-why/