Moderate Consumption Of Alcohol

BOSTON—A recent study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and published inEuropean Heart Journal found that moderate alcohol consumption could help prevent heart failure.

Heart failure affects 23 million people throughout the world, which is characterized by the heart being less able to pump the blood around the body and can be caused from the following factors:

·         High blood pressure

·         Heart muscle disease

·         High blood sugar

The study analyzed 14,629 participants who were recruited in 1989; they were followed for 24-25 years. Interviews were conducted every 3 years, they were asked about their drinking habits. The researchers divided the participants up based on how often they drank.

The team found that the lowest rate of heart failure was among the group of participants who consumed up to 7 drinks per week (about 1 drink per day). Specifically, the researchers found that men who consumed up to seven drinks had a 20 percent lower risk of developing heart failure, and women had about a 16 percent lowered risk.

It is noted that one drink is considered a beverage containing 14 g of alcohol, which is a small glass of wine, just over a half pint of beer or less than one shot of liquor.

According to co-author, Dr. Scott Solomon:

“These findings suggest that drinking alcohol in moderation does not contribute to an increased risk of heart failure and may even be protective."

If you are interested in preventing heart failure, you might want to consider adding one drink of alcohol to your daily diet.

Have a great day.