Alcohol and Cholesterol: What’s the Relationship?

Light to moderate alcohol drinking can raise HDL, but heavy drinking can increase total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides. This raises the chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

Although you may think of cholesterol as unhealthy, it’s essential for your health. For example, it makes up the membrane surrounding your body’s cells and is necessary to produce vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone (1).

While your body needs cholesterol to function, having too much cholesterol may contribute to health issues, including an increased risk of heart disease. That’s why keeping your cholesterol within a healthy range is important.

Cholesterol levels are affected by many factors, including body weight and dietary intake. Alcohol intake may also affect cholesterol levels, both positively and negatively (1, 2).

This article explains how alcohol intake affects cholesterol levels and heart health.

The relationship between alcohol and health is complicated and depends on many factors, including how much and how often you drink.

While light to moderate alcohol intake isn’t usually harmful, heavy alcohol use can cause severe effects. In fact, heavy alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors for disease burden worldwide, increasing the risk of certain cancers, liver disease, and heart disease (3).

Alcohol intake affects cholesterol levels differently depending on the level and frequency of intake.

Light to moderate alcohol intake may improve HDL (good) cholesterol

Light alcohol intake may increase levels of HDL cholesterol (2).

HDL protects heart health because it collects excess cholesterol and transports it to your liver, where it can be removed or recycled. This reduces the formation of plaque in your arteries (4, 5).

Having higher levels of HDL cholesterol may help protect against heart disease and related death.

In fact, light to moderate alcohol intake is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart disease-related death in most populations (2, 6).

Heavy alcohol intake increases heart disease risk factors

Heavy drinking is consistently tied to negative health outcomes, including high LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure (7, 8, 9, 10).

A study in 1,519 people associated high intensity binge drinking — 8 or more drinks for women and 10 or more drinks for men per day — with a 2–8-fold increased risk of high triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (9).

Furthermore, excess alcohol intake may contribute to increases in blood pressure and waist circumference, which are also considered heart disease risk factors (11, 12).

This is why heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and heart disease-related death (13, 14).

Summary

While light to moderate alcohol intake may improve HDL cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk, heavy drinking elevates multiple heart disease risk factors, including LDL and total cholesterol.

The effects of alcohol on overall health, including cholesterol levels, depend on many factors.

Firstly, alcohol doesn’t affect everyone the same way.

For example, females are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol because they have lower levels of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol (15).

Therefore, females cannot metabolize alcohol at the same rate as males and absorb more alcohol into their bloodstream. Plus, females are generally smaller than males (2).

This is why alcohol intake recommendations differ by sex.

Current recommendations for moderate alcohol intake are one drink per day or less for females and two drinks per day or less for males (16, 17).

Heavy drinking, which is associated with numerous health risks, is defined as (16):

• Males: 4 or more drinks on any given day, or more than 14 drinks per week
• Females: 3 or more drinks on any given day, or more than 7 drinks per week

According to one study, the maximum potential benefit for heart health occurs at low alcohol intake levels of 0. 5–1 standard drinks per day for females and 1–2 standard drinks per day for males (13).

However, even if you fall into the heavy drinking category, cutting back on alcohol may significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.

Notably, a 10-year study found that when people with type 2 diabetes reduced their alcohol intake by 2 or more drinks per week (or abstained completely), their heart disease risk decreased by 44% compared with those who consistently drank moderate amounts (6, 18).

Summary

The frequency and amount of alcohol you drink affects heart health, including cholesterol levels. In particular, heavy drinking is associated with negative effects.

For most people, light to moderate drinking is unlikely to negatively affect cholesterol levels. In fact, it may improve HDL cholesterol levels and even reduce the risk of heart disease.

However, heavy drinking impairs heart health and may raise total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Keeping cholesterol levels within a certain range is recommended in order to keep your heart healthy. Current cholesterol recommendations are as follows (19):

• Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) or less
• LDL cholesterol: 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) or less
• HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) or higher in males and 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or higher in females

Although maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is essential to reducing heart disease risk, many factors contribute to this condition, including blood pressure, genetics, and sex (19).

Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle — which includes limiting alcohol, keeping a moderate body weight, staying active, and following a nutritious diet — promotes healthy cholesterol levels and reduces your risk of heart disease and other conditions.

When should you see a doctor?

A healthcare professional can test your cholesterol levels to determine whether they’re currently within a healthy range, as well as assess other potential heart disease risk factors.

If you’re currently consuming multiple drinks per day or feel that your alcohol intake is harming your physical and mental health, there are ways to get help.

Talk with a trusted health professional about your concerns or visit this website to find treatment options and resources near you.

Summary

Light to moderate alcohol intake is unlikely to harm cholesterol levels, but heavy drinking can. If you’re concerned that your drinking is damaging your health, consult a healthcare professional.

Depending on your intake, alcohol may either positively or negatively affect cholesterol levels and other measures of heart health.

While light to moderate drinking may increase HDL cholesterol, heavy alcohol use is associated with elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as a greater risk of heart disease and death due to this condition.

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or alcohol intake, talk with a healthcare professional. They can provide appropriate testing and additional resources if needed.

Just one thing

Try this today: Drinking too much alcohol impairs your physical and mental health in many ways, which is why limiting your intake is so important.

Getting help for any substance use disorder, including alcohol use disorder, is essential. Check out FindTreatment.gov for more information on how to get help.

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Wine + Cholesterol: What You Need to Know

Some advice for improving your health is very straightforward. For example, you should drink plenty of water each day and get regular exercise that’s appropriate for your fitness level and goals. There’s no ambiguity there. 

Other advice is more nuanced. A good example is the recommendation to drink wine or other alcohol to improve your heart health. Consuming wine can help raise your level of “good” cholesterol. That’s true. But it’s important to recognize all the ways that drinking alcohol affects your health.  

Understanding “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol

It’s widely believed that the goal with cholesterol is simply to lower it, but that’s not entirely true. While it’s recommended that you keep your total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL, there are two components of cholesterol to consider: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein).

LDL is “bad” cholesterol, and you should try to keep that number below 100 mg/dL. But HDL is “good” cholesterol, and you want to raise it if it’s below 60 mg/dL and maintain it above that level. 

Alcohol can help you increase your HDL level, with red wine being particularly helpful. Plus, it contains antioxidants called polyphenols that may help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. One polyphenol that may be especially helpful is resveratrol. 

But here’s where the nuance comes in: Doctors generally don’t recommend that people start drinking red wine, given that there are several risks associated with alcohol consumption (see below). However, if you’re already enjoying a glass of red wine with your dinner, continuing to do so may help your heart health. 

How Healthy is Your Heart?

Have you ever wondered how healthy your heart is? Our free heart health risk assessment can compare your actual age to your heart’s biological age, as well as calculate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Start our quick online assessment.

Health Risks from Alcohol

It appears that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol have a lower risk of heart disease. However, the key there is “moderate amounts.” This means one drink for women and two drinks for men daily, with a “drink” being 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. 

The problem is that alcohol is an addictive substance, and people who start drinking with heart health in mind may quickly find themselves consuming excessive amounts of it. If that occurs, their risk of several kinds of health problems increases. For example, drinking too much alcohol elevates the risk of high blood pressure and stroke, and it can also increase the level of unhealthy triglycerides in the blood. 

Excessive alcohol consumption also raises your risk of certain types of cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Plus, it increases your risk of many types of accidents, including car accidents. Plus, alcohol is high in calories, so drinking too much of it can cause you to gain weight, which increases your risk for other diseases like diabetes. 

All Things in Moderation

Ultimately, the advice to enjoy “all things in moderation” is spot-on when it comes to alcohol. A small amount may be good for you, but as the quantity you consume goes up, so do your health risks. And if the choice comes down to drinking too much or not drinking at all, it’s much better to avoid alcohol altogether. 

If you have questions about alcohol and heart health, your Baptist Health doctor is happy to answer them. To find a provider, search our online directory. 

Next Steps and Useful Resources

Find a Provider
Is Red Wine Good for the Heart?
Short and Long Terms Effects of Alcohol on the Body
Can I Have High Cholesterol in My 20s or 30s?
The Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart

Learn More.

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Is there any benefit from wine – the benefits of drinking wine

Scientists and researchers have been talking about the health benefits of drinking wine for many years. The key to the health benefits of wine is, of course, moderation. Discover some of the many health benefits of wine.

Wine raises good cholesterol

Numerous studies show that wine, red or white, raises HDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is often referred to as “good” cholesterol. This type of cholesterol actually helps reduce the fat on the walls of your arteries by delivering it to your liver. The liver then processes these fats into waste and your body eliminates them.

Fighting free radicals

Free radicals are basically groups of atoms that attack healthy cells causing damage to cells. Antioxidants help counter the damage caused by free radicals. The flavanoids and resveratrol in wine act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage to cells.

Relieves anxiety

Wine acts as a mild natural sedative. One glass of wine of 150-200 grams helps relieve anxiety and tension. When stressed, the heart pumps blood faster and works harder, putting people with high levels of stress at increased risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. The anti-anxiety effect of wine helps slow heart palpitations to a more normal, healthy level and lowers blood pressure. Scientists have proven that the antioxidants in wine slow down the development of arterial plaque. In this way, wine helps prevent arthrosis, thereby helping to slow down or prevent heart disease.

Ulcer Prevention

A 2003 study by the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that regular wine drinkers reduced their risk of developing ulcers by helping the body rid itself of the specific bacteria known to cause these ulcers. However, the study noted that wine consumption should be moderate, and excessive consumption leads to an increased risk of developing peptic ulcers.

Heart health

The heart experiences the many health benefits of wine. Along with the cholesterol and anti-anxiety benefits mentioned above, drinking wine moderately and regularly helps prevent a heart condition known as cardiac fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis of the heart occurs when proteins build up in the heart valves, causing them to thicken. With this thickening, the heart beats much less efficiently. Wine helps prevent the formation of these proteins inside the heart valves.

Wine as an anti-inflammatory agent

Regular and moderate wine consumption has anti-inflammatory properties.

Enhanced Lung Function

Another of the health benefits of wine is that flavonoids and other antioxidants have been shown to increase lung function, making them more efficient.

Protecting blood vessels

Polyphenolic compounds found in wine, known as procyanidins, help protect blood vessels from damage. They also work to protect the endothelium. The endothelium is the protective tissue around the heart and blood vessels.

Brain function

A 2006 preliminary study by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that regular and moderate wine consumption can help slow memory loss and also prevent brain cell death. This reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with dementia and dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

5 healthy reasons to agree to a glass of wine are named: against cholesterol

01/26/2022 at 20:37

The science

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Disputes about the influence of a moderate amount of alcohol on the body, especially for women, have not subsided for a long time. Supporters of a healthy lifestyle are categorically against even small amounts of such “doping”. Some researchers, too, believing that even in small doses, alcohol can lead to irreversible changes in the body. On the other hand, opponents note that wine is part of the famous Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the healthiest. Finally, since ancient times, the inhabitants of the Caucasus and Italy cannot imagine their life without wine, and at the same time they are distinguished by enviable longevity. Nutritionists agree that the truth, as always, is somewhere in between.

If we talk about dry wine and very limited quantities, there are still benefits from drinking it, concludes Harper’s Bazaar. The publication emphasizes that in this case we mean a daily portion equal to one glass. Also, we are talking about dry wine, since dessert wines have too much sugar.

The first positive thing from a glass of dry red wine at a meal is getting polyphenols, which have a beneficial effect on the heart vessels. The resveratrol contained in the skin of grapes, according to a number of studies, has a number of useful functions: it reduces “bad” cholesterol, protects blood vessels, reduces blood clots and has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also helps maintain bone strength. It is also believed that this substance helps to slightly reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, but these assumptions have not been confirmed.

Substances in red wine have an antioxidant effect, that is, they help slow down the aging process. Grapes contain many polyphenols and tannins, the concentration of which increases during fermentation. Antioxidants protect cells from damage by free radicals, therefore, slow down age-related changes in the cells of organs and skin. Red wine is also full of phytoestrogens, which stimulate the body’s production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

The active ingredients in red wine also tone the nervous system by improving the blood supply to the brain. According to the observations of a number of researchers, the cumulative effect of red wine becomes the prevention of age-related memory degeneration and even Alzheimer’s disease.

The already mentioned polyphenols protect the body from chronic diseases by fighting inflammation. Also, the components of wine can increase the body’s susceptibility to insulin, which helps in the prevention of diabetes.

The fifth and very important positive effect of red wine is a good mood. This is not about the feeling of intoxication, but about the high content of fruit acids and tannins in this drink, which scientists associate with an increase in the general emotional background and even the prevention of depression. But there is an important note: such an “antidepressant” works only if no more than 1 glass is consumed per day. With an excess of alcohol on the face, the opposite effect is depression of the nervous system and health problems, in the presence of which the mood simply cannot be good.

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Authors:

• Marta Petrova

healthy lifestyle

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