You may have heard that red wine is good for your heart due to the levels of resveratrol, a compound found in red grapes that is thought to act as an antioxidant in the body. New research published in Jama Network Open by Kiran J. Biddinger et al. challenges the idea that light alcohol consumption decreases risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the study published, the team of researchers found that alcohol consumption at any level of intake was linked with a higher risk of CVD. Controversy continues to surround the association between alcohol intake and CVD, which remains the leading global cause of death.
The current theory suggests that light drinkers have the lowest risk for heart disease, followed by those who abstain from drinking and finally heavy drinkers. However, the new study suggests that previous studies have confounded this result, implying that there are other factors that might account for lower risk of CVD among light drinkers. For example, light drinkers are believed to have healthier lifestyles and better socioeconomic status, allowing them the ability to have the occasional drink without significant damage to their health. Just a few of these lifestyle factors (exercise, vegetable consumption, and non-smoking) may considerably reduce the risk of heart disease.
In an attempt to address the complex link between alcohol and CVD, the team of researchers conducted a study applying Mendelian randomization, which examines genetic variants to assess whether the causal relationship between exposure and outcome are consistent. Better phrased, they studied the human genetic data at various levels of alcohol consumption and analyzed the relationship to CVD. This allows the researchers to study heart disease regardless of any lifestyle habits.
When the researchers evaluated their findings, they found that individuals with genetic variants that predict higher alcohol consumption were in fact more likely to have hypertension and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, they found that the relationship between alcohol consumption and CVD is exponential. Low alcohol consumption increases risk of CVD, though minimal, and the risk only increases at higher levels of alcohol consumption.
One of the researchers, Krishna G. Aragam MD, said, “The findings affirm that alcohol intake should not be recommended to improve cardiovascular health; rather, that reducing alcohol intake will likely reduce cardiovascular risk in all individuals, albeit to different extents based on one’s current level of consumption.” Cutting back on consumption will decrease risk at all levels, although moderate and heavy drinkers may benefit from it the most.
Ultimately, any observed cardioprotective effects of light to moderate alcohol consumption may be attributed to lifestyle factors. According to new genetic techniques and analyses, the causal relationship between alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease is exponential, which means that the risk for developing CVD only grows with higher levels of consumption. If there is any physical benefit to light drinking, it is far outweighed by the benefit of abstaining altogether.
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