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Even moderate alcohol consumption does not seem to protect the heart
Although a moderate alcohol consumption in our culture has long been considered protection against cardiovascular disease, but according to scientists, a health benefit of wine and Co. is not proven. New studies show that even moderate alcohol consumption does not seem to have heart and vascular protective function.
Is moderate alcohol consumption healthy?
In an old proverb it says: "Nobody can deny a glass in honor". It has long been known that alcohol increases the risk of many diseases such as hypertension, fatty liver or various cancers. However, several studies have concluded that alcohol - in moderation - can serve as a protection against cardiovascular disease. Scientists have been arguing for years about whether moderate drinking is really healthy.
Many people assume that moderate drinking can serve as protection against cardiovascular disease. However, recent studies show that even little alcohol does not protect the heart. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com) Positive effects of alcohol refuted
British researchers published a study last year in the journal British Medical Journal, which refuted the positive effects of alcohol. And the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) has now reported that a number of studies presented at the European Congress of Cardiology (ESC) in Rome also conclude that low to moderate alcohol consumption does not seem to provide cardiovascular protection Has.
No significantly more favorable association with cardiovascular mortality
According to the experts, a 20-year Danish study of nearly 19,000 nurses ("The danish nurses' cohort study"), after adjusting for health, lifestyle and psychosocial factors, found no evidence of a significant favorable association between low and moderate alcohol consumption and of cardiovascular mortality.
The study authors also found no significant association between low to moderate alcohol use with the separate outcomes stroke and myocardial infarction.
Total plaque volume has not changed
In a study from Israel and the US, the influence of moderate alcohol consumption on the progression of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery in patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who otherwise did not drink alcohol was investigated.
During the two-year study period of the so-called CASCADE study, the subjects were divided into three groups and received daily either 150 milliliters of mineral water, white wine or red wine.
All study participants reported that they were on a Mediterranean diet without any restriction in calorie count. At baseline and after two years, total carotid plaque volume and vascular wall volume of 174 patients were measured by 3D ultrasound.
In the initial examination was found in 55 percent of participants plaque in the carotid artery. However, the average total plaque volume did not change in any of the three groups during the two years.
Further investigations should follow
"In our two-year study, we found no significant effect of wine consumption on total plaque volume of the carotid artery or vascular wall volume in the whole group," the study authors concluded.
"Weak evidence of a slightly greater reduction in total carotid plaque volume by wine consumption among patients who had the largest plaque volume at baseline should be further investigated in larger studies."
For heart health you do not need alcohol
"There are always reports of the positive impact of moderate consumption of various alcoholic beverages, especially wine, on cardiovascular health. Other studies failed to confirm this beneficial effect.
However, a possible harmful effect of moderate drinking of wine on heart health could not be substantiated conclusively and beyond any doubt. Also unclear are the many alleged mechanisms of possible heart protection, "said DGK spokesman Prof. Dr. med. Eckart stain.
"So if you want to do something for your heart health, you do not need to drink alcohol. Heavy alcohol consumption can have a negative effect on many organs of our body, including the heart, for example due to arrhythmia or lack of pumping, and should be avoided anyway. "(Ad)