Moderate-to-High Alcohol Intake Linked to Reduced CHD Risk in Men

Men who drink moderate to very high amounts of alcohol may have a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, according to an observational study in Heart.

Over 40,000 Spanish men and women completed questionnaires about their lifestyles, including alcohol intake, and were followed for a median of 10 years. During that time, 1.5% developed CHD.

After adjustment for lifestyle factors and comorbid conditions, men who regularly consumed moderate to very high amounts of alcohol (range: 5 to at least 90 g/day — the equivalent of roughly one to six standard drinks) had about half the risk for CHD as those who never drank. Findings were similar for all kinds of beverages consumed.

Among women, alcohol intake was not significantly associated with CHD.

Heart article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)