Moderate drinking is good for cardiovascular disease is a misunderstanding

We all know that excessive drinking can endanger health. According to a study published in the United States in 2014, the age at work is also the case of premature death. One in every ten is related to heavy drinking. However, there are many people who say that moderate drinking can protect the heart. This is the best excuse for all drinkers to drink. So, is there a basis for this statement? Moderate drinking is good for our cardiovascular system? In fact, moderate drinking is related to a healthier cardiovascular system, and it may not be representative of people who drink moderately in other ways. Alcohol itself has a cardiovascular effect.

Moderate drinking is good for cardiovascular disease is a misunderstanding

1. What is moderate drinking?

Regarding drinking, the American Heart Association has this saying: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you don't drink, don't start. So the American Heart Association recommends that men and women should not drink more than 2 cups and 1 drink per day. cup. 1 cup of wine is equivalent to one and a half white wine, two two red wine, six two beer. Equivalent to 15 grams of alcohol. This is the definition of moderate drinking!


2. The relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular disease

Previous studies have shown a J-curve relationship between drinking and cardiovascular health, ie, no alcohol consumption or heavy drinking, overall mortality due to various causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary artery calcification and diabetes risk, and mild to moderate The risk is relatively low. Scientists have conducted many similar observational studies for decades, but the problem is that these studies rely on observational data. Ideally, clinical controlled trials are the gold standard for causality, but it is unrealistic to use alcohol as an exposure factor.

3. Subversive views

Recently, there is growing evidence that even small amounts of alcohol do not help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A new analysis published on July 14, 2014 showed that alcohol consumption (even in small to medium doses) was associated with an increased risk of AF; drinking 1 unit per day increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 8%. This can not help but start to reflect on whether the conclusions of the past research are really rigorous, and whether the truth has been concealed?

A small amount of alcohol is associated with a healthier cardiovascular system, which may be due to the fact that other people who drink less alcohol are healthier in other ways and do not represent a protective role for alcohol itself.

Another recent meta-analysis focuses on the impact of genetic factors on related fields. Researchers believe that subjects who are more prone to drunkenness and have less alcohol intake due to genetic reasons, on average, have better cardiovascular Health status. The study found that even for alcohol-sensitive gene carriers (ie, people who drink only a small amount of alcohol), reducing alcohol intake can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.