A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology highlights the potential benefits of light to moderate alcohol consumption on heart health.
Researchers discovered that one drink per day for women and one to two drinks per day for men can lead to a long-term reduction in the brain’s stress activity, lowering the risk of heart disease.
“We are not advocating the use of alcohol to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes because of other concerning effects of alcohol on health,” said cardiologist Ahmed Tawakol, lead author of the study by investigators from Massachusetts eneral hospital.
The study analyzed data from over 50,000 individuals and found that light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease events. However, the study also emphasizes the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, including increased cancer risks and decreased brain activity.
Researchers aim to explore alternative methods to replicate alcohol’s protective effects without its detrimental impact.