Cheers for women: moderate drinking reduces risk of heart attack

A new study reveals that women who drink beer in moderation have a reduced chance of heart attack. (Source: Wikimedia Commons, Michael Spencer)

A new study reveals that women who drink beer in moderation have a reduced chance of heart attack. Swedish researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that women who drink beer once or twice a week or once or twice a month had a 30 percent lower risk of heart attack compared to those who drink in excess and to those who do not drink (1). The study sampled middle-aged women and was conducted over a span of 32 years.

Previous studies show that moderate amounts of alcohol raise the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which can protect individuals from heart disease (2). Moderate consumption of alcohol was also shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin levels and to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by preventing blood clotting.

The benefits of alcohol consumption, however, are not conclusive. In addition to their heart attack discovery, the Swedish researchers found a link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk: those who consume beer more than once or twice a month have a 50 percent higher chance of dying of cancer as compared to less frequent drinkers (1).

There remains uncertainty in the study’s results due to some confounding factors in its sampling methods. We cannot be sure that the reduction in heart attack risk  in these women was primarily due to their moderate intake of alcohol: other factors such as their diet and past medical history could have also had influence. The selectivity on gender also leads readers to question whether the same effect can be applied to men.

References:

1. University of Gothenburg. (2015, September 24). Women with moderate beer consumption run lower risk of heart attack.ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150924101855.htm
2. Booyse FM, Grenett HE, et al. (2007, May 17). Mechanism by which alcohol and wine polyphenols affect coronary heart disease risk.Ann Epidemiol.2007; 17:S24–31.