What happens when alcohol non-drinkers begin to drink? Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina wanted to learn. They did a large study to find out. They looked at middle-aged non-drinkers who began drinking in moderation. The researchers found a much lower risk of getting cardiovascular disease (CVD). That’s in comparison to those who continued abstaining.

The researchers studied 7,697 people aged 45 to 64 who were non-drinkers. They were in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study over a 10 year period.

The investigators found that 6% began consuming alcohol in moderation. That is, up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men during the follow-up period.

After 4 years of follow-up, new moderate drinkers had a 38% lower chance of developing CVD than did the non-drinkers. Even after adjusting for physical activity, Body Mass Index, demographic and cardiac risk factors, this difference persisted.

This study is very important. It provides more evidence that the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease is a result of the alcohol itself.

How Alcohol Helps the Heart & Brain

Also there is other evidence that alcohol reduces the risk of CVD. That is, some of the ways it does so are understood.

For example, alcohol improves the blood in important ways. It increases “good” cholesterol (HDL) and decreases “bad” cholesterol (LDL). It also improves the size of cholesterol particles.

Alcohol reduces blood clotting. It does so in several ways. First, it reduces blood platelet clumping. Second, it reduces the blood’s clotting substance. Finally, it increases the process of dissolving clots.

Alcohol also helps in other ways. It reduces both blood pressure and insulin levels. It reduces heart artery spasms. And it improves both estrogen levels and blood flow.

Abstaining from alcohol increases the chances for both poor health and earlier death. For more, see Alcohol and Health.

Resources: Non-drinkers Begin to Drink

Source

King, D. et al. Adopting moderate alcohol consumption in middle-age: Subsequent cardio events. Am J Med, 2008, 121(3).