Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Cheers, Tears, or Both?

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of shorter life expectancy and loss of quality of life worldwide. Thus, any influence of diet or life habits on the cardiovascular system may have important implications for public health. Epidemiological studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Moreover, high alcohol intake implies an increased risk for numerous health outcomes. To fully understand the relation between light-to-moderate drinking and CVD, the role of drinking patterns, beverage types, and genetic variations influencing alcohol metabolism should be further examined. The aim of this review article is to present current knowledge with respect to the effect of alcohol intake on CVD risk.

Keywords:

• alcohol
• cardiovascular disease
• polyphenols
• antioxidants

Acknowledgment

The authors declare that no conflicts of interest exist. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Dimitris Grikorakis conducted the research and wrote the article; Vassiliki Bountziouka analysed the data and wrote the article; and Nick Kalogeropoulos had primary responsibility for final content.