Could moderate alcohol intake be recommended to improve vaccine responses?

Abstract

The impact of alcohol consumption on human health is complex and modulated by several factors such as patterns and amount of drinking, genetics, the organ system studied, as well as the sex and age of the user. There is strong evidence that chronic ethanol abuse is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to both bacterial and viral infections. In contrast, moderate alcohol consumption exerts positive effects including decreased mortality, and improved cardiovascular disease and insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, accumulating evidence also supports an immune-boosting effect of moderate alcohol. In this editorial, we summarize the findings that support a positive effect of moderate alcohol on host immunity. We also discuss the limitations of the previous data and emphasize the importance of additional studies to uncover mechanisms for these immune-stimulating effects in order to extend these benefits to vulnerable segments of the population who cannot consume alcohol.

Keywords::

• alcohol
• immunity
• inflammation
• macaque
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

I Messaoudi was supported by the grants NIH 8P51 ODO11092–53 and NIH/NIAAA R21AA021947. K Grant was supported by the grants NIH 8P51 ODO11092–53, NIH/NIAAA R24 AA019431, U01 AA13641 and U01 AA13510. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.