Alcohol and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: Discover Them

Alcohol and cardiometabolic risk factors is an important matter. Cardiometabolic (CM) risk refers to the chance of having heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

Researchers report that moderate drinkers are at lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). They also report that such alcohol consumption lowers the risk of both diabetes and CVD among diabetics.

This study was a randomized clinical trial. It examined alcohol and CM risk factors.

Risk Factors

- Smoking
- Excess weight
- Poor diet
- High blood pressure
- Inadequate exercise
- High blood sugar
- High cholesterol

Taking the following medications can also increase risk.

- Thorazine
- Zyprexa
- Seroquel
- Mellaril

Study

The study used 224 subjects with diabetes. They were abstainers or very light drinkers. The latter had under one drink per week. They were age 40 to 75.

Researchers randomly assigned participants to one of three groups. One group had 150 mL of mineral water with dinner for two years. Another had white wine, and a third had red wine under the same conditions. They all followed a Mediterranean diet with no limit on calories.

Participants knew the study was a dietary intervention. Group sessions were led by dietician monthly for the first three months. Then held at three-month intervals for the rest of the study The focus was on the diet. Wine was not discussed. A total of 87% completed the study.

Compared to mineral water, having red wine with dinner improved many CM risk factors. In particular, there was an increase in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (a). Having white wine was helpful as well. In particular, it improved measures of glycemic control.

Genetic analyses identified those who metabolized alcohol either quickly or slowly. The authors stated their findings. “We found that diabetic patients who were slow alcohol metabolizers had improved glycemic control by initiating moderate wine consumption. This suggests that alcohol may play a role in glucose metabolism. In contrast, diabetic patients who were fast ethanol metabolizers benefited the most from the wine induced BP-lowering effect. This suggests a mediatory role for ethanol metabolites.”

Summary

The results suggest that for well-controlled diabetics, moderate drinking with dinner decreases CM risk. Most studies find beer, wine and distilled spirits (liquor) have similar health benefits.