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- The World Heart Federation recently released a policy brief that recommends “no amount of alcohol is good for the heart.”
- Though previous research has pointed to moderate drinking having heart health benefits, new research says alcohol consumption may do more harm than good.
- The recommendations are controversial, and more research will need to be done before an official directive is given.
You may have heard that moderate drinking, like a postrun beer or a celebratory glass of wine after a new PR, is not only acceptable for your diet but could actually be beneficial to your heart health. But before you pour that next glass of pinot noir, new recommendations have led to some serious controversy over this idea. Recently, The World Heart Federation (WHF) released a policy brief that suggested: “No amount of alcohol is good for the heart.”
The brief says that drinking alcohol has been linked to a slew of diseases like an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary disease, stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and aneurysm. This led to more than 2.4 million people dying from alcohol in 2019, accounting for 4.3 percent of all deaths globally, according to the brief.
Wait, what about the science that links red wine and heart health?
So, what about all those studies that say a glass of wine has cardioprotective benefits? The WHF notes that though there is research that shows a positive connection between health and moderate alcohol consumption, many of those studies fail to account for other lifestyle factors in the participants, such as pre-existing conditions or other medical histories.
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“The portrayal of alcohol as necessary for a vibrant social life has diverted attention from the harms of alcohol use, as have the frequent and widely publicized claims that moderate drinking, such as a glass of red wine a day, can offer protection against cardiovascular disease,” Monika Arora, Ph.D., Member of the WHF Advocacy Committee and co-author of the brief explained in the press release. “These claims are at best misinformed and at worst an attempt by the alcohol industry to mislead the public about the danger of their product.”
And many medical professionals agree with the WHF’s briefing. Andrew Freeman, M.D., co-chair of the American College of Cardiology Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Nutrition and Lifestyle Work Group says he never recommends people start drinking, even if there are some studies that a small amount of alcohol can have cardioprotective benefits. This is because there are other risks involved, like potential alcohol abuse. He adds that these changes to recommendations aren’t out of the ordinary, because as our ability to analyze data changes, we may find that the data isn’t as strong as we once thought.
Alcohol’s negative impact on heart health
The United States Dietary Guidelines (USDA) says those of legal drinking age should either abstain from drinking or drink in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as two drinks or less in a day for men or one drink or less in a day for women. The USDA guidelines also suggest that “drinking less is better for health than drinking more,” and note that emerging evidence has found that higher amounts of alcohol intake are associated with an increased risk of death compared to lower alcohol intake.
Jennifer Wong, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of non-invasive cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute says she agrees with the WHF’s policy, noting that though some research says alcohol could have benefits, other research has found alcohol use has been linked to cancers and heart issues.
“I think in general, I’m in agreement with [the policy],” she says. “I think we’ve long known there are hazards both cardiac and non-cardiac with alcohol consumption.”
The American Heart Association (AHA) warns that too much alcohol can increase fats in the blood known as triglycerides, which can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. The AHA recently changed their dietary guidelines to reflect newer research, suggesting cutting back on alcohol use. Additionally, the American Society of Clinical Oncology says research suggests alcohol use may be a risk factor for multiple types of cancers.
One study found moderate drinking increased the risk of stroke and peripheral artery disease, and another recent study revealed that though moderate drinking had some health benefits, it also increased the risk for women to develop breast cancer, colon polyps, colon cancer, and experience bone fractures.
Are there any alcohol-related heart-health benefits?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that past studies have found moderate alcohol consumption can have health benefits, such as reducing the risk for heart disease. One study found moderate drinking could have a protective effect on people living with heart disease. The research found light-to-moderate drinking could reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death for those already living with heart disease.
Additionally, the American College for Cardiology released a study that found moderate alcohol intake has been associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who don’t drink or excessively drink. This was because alcohol, in moderation, helped to reduce the stress signals coming from the brain, which may lower the risk for heart disease.
Plus, many people point to the blue zones, areas of the world where people live the longest, as proof of alcohol use improving longevity. In these areas, people eat mostly plants, exercise regularly, keep tight social connections, and yes, drink moderately, Freeman says. But like much research surrounding the health benefits of alcohol, there are lingering questions like: Is there a specific type of alcohol that benefits health? And is there a threshold of how much is too much?
Take red wine, for example. There are flavonoids and antioxidants in wine that could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease, but Wong notes that these can also be found in grapes, grape juice, blueberries, and peanuts. Additionally, some studies have found alcohol can help increase HDL cholesterol, but Wong suggests regular physical activity can have similar results. So, more research is needed.
The bottom line
In short: Some research says that alcohol can have health benefits, but overall the risks outweigh them. Freeman says that the research is mixed and there are too many lingering questions in both cases to make a clear suggestion.
If you’re looking for ways to boost your heart health that don’t involve alcohol, per the WHF report, Wong suggests getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and getting in 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise.
Arielle Weg is the associate editor at Prevention and loves to share her favorite wellness and nutrition obsessions. She previously managed content at The Vitamin Shoppe, and her work has also appeared in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Cooking Light, MyRecipes, and more. You can usually find her taking an online workout class or making a mess in the kitchen, creating something delicious she found in her cookbook collection or saved on Instagram.
