Alcohol-It's what ales you

I get asked all the time about what role alcohol plays in a person’s health. Some seem to believe it is beneficial while others believe it harmful.

A recent study found the following:

• Consumption of 1 drink daily in women and 1 to 2 drinks daily in men has been demonstrated to reduce rates of total mortality by 18% vs. abstinence, although the risk for mortality rises with heavy use of alcohol.
• Light to moderate drinking also reduces the risk for CHD events by 30% to 35% vs. abstinence and this is considered 1-2 oz of alcohol a day.
• Alcohol use seems effective in reducing cardiovascular outcomes regardless of sex or age. Even among men with a healthy lifestyle, alcohol can reduce the risk for myocardial infarction by up to 50%.
• Light to moderate alcohol consumption seems to be beneficial among patients with hypertension, although alcohol can increase blood pressure in a dose-dependent fashion.
• Alcohol also seems to reduce the risk for CHD among patients with diabetes but can cause blood sugar control to be more difficult.
• Alcohol use is also helpful in regard to the risk for stroke and dementia in the same manner as above.
• Alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for peripheral arterial disease.
• It seems that the ethanol itself, rather than the type of drink consumed, is the component most responsible for the health benefits of alcoholic beverages. Red wine got the original fame because of the studies done years ago through the VA system.
• Despite the benefits of light to moderate alcohol consumption, binge drinking is associated with a 2-fold increase in the risk for myocardial infarction and mortality vs. with abstinence from alcohol.
• Therefore, the most cardiovascular protection seems to be derived from 1 drink per day among women and 1 to 2 drinks per day among men.
• The authors of the study note that alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States and that encouraging regular use of alcohol may contribute more cases to this already significant problem.
• Alcohol can improve cardiovascular outcomes primarily by increasing HDL cholesterol.

So the bottom line is; based on the current review, it suggests that light to moderate use of alcohol can help improve rates of total mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

However, because of the high rate of preventable deaths associated with alcohol use, the study authors recommend against the universal prescription of alcohol consumption.