Is Regular Consumption of Alcohol, even in Small Amounts, Good for Heart Health?

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Information about heart diseases is constantly being shared through social media, as the heart is the most significant organ in our body and is essential in maintaining our health. Especially nowadays, since there is a high tendency of deaths due to heart diseases, it is important for us to pay attention to heart diseases and to prevent heart-related diseases.

Accordingly. There is a debate going on regarding the use of alcohol to maintain good heart health. Is alcohol consumption really good for the heart? We examined the facts regarding this as follows.

Social media posts:

A social media post was circulated stating that the cardiologist Dr. Wasantha Hettiarachchi had indicated that a small amount of alcohol consumption is suitable for heart disease.

The doctor is reported to have stated that consuming a bottle or three-quarters of a bottle of alcohol is not suitable for the liver but that consuming a certain amount of alcohol is not harmful to the body.

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The comments on this statement indicate that various interpretations have been exchanged regarding this statement, as follows.

Therefore, we decided to do a fact check regarding this.

Fact-Check:

We first checked whether the Cardiologist, Dr. Wasantha Hettiarachchi had made such a statement as it was reported that he has said that at the ‘Nuga Sevana’ program telecasted in channel ‘Rupawahini’.

Accordingly, the doctor had made this statement during the ‘Nuga Sevana’ program broadcast on channel Rupawahini on September 20, 2023.

Through this program he discusses about the heart health, and he clearly states that consuming a small amount of alcohol per day, i.e., moderate alcohol consumption, is not harmful. The doctor also says that it can help control stress.

However, here is a further examination on whether alcohol consumption is good for heart health.

Is alcohol consumption good for heart health?

Our investigation revealed that the relationship between alcohol consumption and its health effects has long been a topic of debate and research. Among the various health problems associated with alcohol, its effects on the heart have received considerable attention.

While past studies have shown the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption to the cardiovascular system, those studies have also shown that excessive alcohol consumption can have adverse effects on the heart and overall health.

But according to the latest research and as cardiologists point out, moderate or frequent consumption of alcohol is not good for heart health.

Accordingly, past studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, up to one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men, can be beneficial for the heart and increase HDL (High-density Lipoprotein) , or “good” cholesterol levels in the blood.

Furthermore, a 2011 study showed that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Past studies have also shown that it brings positive benefits such as preventing blood clots, reducing the risk of conditions such as ischemic stroke and heart attack, and reducing stress.

However, the latest research findings suggest that even moderate alcohol consumption is not as beneficial to heart health as previous research has shown.

Accordingly, Martha Gulati, director of preventive cardiology at the Smith Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, USA, has pointed out that though the past studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption can increase levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol in the blood, it has not been proven yet.

She has pointed out that these are observational studies, not clinical trials. She pointed out that people who consume wine in these studies may have been healthier in other ways, such as following a healthier diet.

The doctor has further explained that other recent studies have shown that moderate or light alcohol consumption increases the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

She has indicated that avoiding alcohol completely is the healthiest and least risky option. More information on that here. Archived Link

A study published in JAMA Network Open in March 2022 has challenged the claim that moderate alcohol consumption is not risky.

Accordingly, the study has involved more than 370,000 adults in the United Kingdom, and researchers has found that heavy drinking, i.e., people who drink 21 or more drinks within a week, had the highest risk of developing heart diseases. But they have also found that there is an increased risk of heart disease with 7 to 14 drinks per week. Information on that here.

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement stating, “No amount of alcohol consumption is safe for human health”. The data behind this warning comes from a 2021 study that estimated that new cancer cases have developed due to light to moderate alcohol consumption.

Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe, Senior Consultant Cardiologist at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka

We inquired Dr. Gotabaya Ranasinghe, Senior Consultant Cardiologist at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, whether moderate alcohol consumption is good for heart health.

The doctor explained that though the past studies showed that one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for women is not harmful, even a moderate alcohol consumption is harmful to our bodies. There may be changes in the heart rhythm, and also there is a risk of heart attacks. He pointed out that alcohol consumption can cause cholesterol to build up in the inner layers of the heart and cause blockages.

He further stated that alcohol cannot be considered good for the heart at all, and that is has been a myth since the past that alcohol is good for the heart. He said that he has rejected the fact that alcohol is good for the heart health ever since it has come into the discussion. He points out that alcohol is not only harmful to the heart but also to brain function, and can lead to a number of health problems, including conditions such as dementia.

He said that even the latest American research has confirmed that consuming alcohol, even in small amounts is not good.

Dr. L.P.A. Karunathilaka, Senior lecturer in Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo.

Dr. L.P.A. Karunathilaka, Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Medicine at the University of Colombo, stated that the above statement is false. He pointed out that drinking alcohol in small amounts over a long period of time causes damage to the body, especially the liver and nervous system. The same damage can be caused even by consuming alcohol in large amounts even for a short period of time. But alcohol can be consumed for specific diseases under medical supervision in prescribed doses and for a specified period of time. 

Harmful effects of alcohol on the heart

Alcohol consumption has also been found to have adverse effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. 

1. High Blood Pressure

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which has a significant impact on heart diseases, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

2. Irregular Heartbeat

Alcohol can disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart, causing irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). This can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

3. Weakening of the heart muscle

Heavy alcohol consumption can weaken the heart muscle, leading to a condition called cardiomyopathy. It can lead to decreased heart function, heart attack, and other serious complications.

4. Heart Diseases

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of various heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and silent heart attacks, which can lead to heart failure.

5. Stroke

Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to blood clots and increase the risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked.

6. Obesity

Alcohol is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of heart disease.

7. Liver Damage

Chronic alcohol consumption can damage the liver, leading to conditions such as fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Liver function can be impaired and cardiovascular complications can occur.

Given the potential risks, cardiologists generally recommend limiting alcohol consumption, especially for those with heart diseases. More information regarding that here.

How to maintain good heart health?

A balanced lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, including foods that reduce the risk of heart disease, and avoiding risk factors such as smoking are essential for maintaining cardiovascular well-being. Doctors also suggest that exercise is important to improve heart health.

However, we are attempting to contact cardiologist Dr. Wasantha Hettiarachchi via telephone to inquire his views on the latest studies on this matter and we hope to update this article with his response.

Join us to learn more about our investigative fact findings.

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Conclusion:

Through our research, it is clear that recent studies have shown that moderate to regular consumption of alcohol is detrimental to heart health and overall health. This has also been confirmed by cardiologists.