Everything Is Good In Moderation, Even Alcohol
Written by Emily Tseng
Edited by Jasmine Jeon
February 9th, 2023
Edited by Jasmine Jeon
February 9th, 2023
Research
You have probably heard the phrase “everything in moderation,” referring to the idea that too much of a good thing could become detrimental. It’s probably no surprise that this applies to alcohol. Researchers and physicians have long known that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of heart failure. However, studies conducted within the last two decades have shown that lighter alcohol consumption can actually reduce one’s risk of heart failure, as compared to non-drinkers.
One such study, conducted by Gonçalves et al., examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure in each sex. In this study, heart failure was deemed prevalent based on the Gothenburg classifications of Stage 3 or manifest heart failure, or the use of heart failure medications. Study participants were enrolled on the basis of having no preexisting prevalent heart failure, and were asked to self-report their alcohol consumption every three years. The study population consisted of an approximately even number of men and women who were, on average, middle-aged. Researchers took a cumulative average of the alcohol intake data and then adjusted for factors such as age, body mass index, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, among other factors, so that any difference in data was the result of sex alone. Using statistical models to adjust and compare the data, Gonçalves et al. determined that men who drank up to seven drinks a week showed a significant decrease in risk of heart failure compared to abstainers, with a similar but less significant association for women.
Although many experiments have confirmed the J-shaped curve that results from graphing adjusted risk of heart failure against drinks per week, researchers have yet to discover why this association occurs. As for the discrepancy in this association between men and women, Gonçalves et al. hypothesized that this may be due to the difference in how women absorb and metabolize alcohol, due to their higher percentage of body fat. Further research is needed to strengthen their findings, but nevertheless, the results of this study remain significant. Thanks to Gonçalves et al., we don't need to be afraid to enjoy a glass of red wine after a stressful day, or a cold beer on a sunny afternoon. After all, everything is good in moderation, even alcohol.