One Drink May Help Heart, But Two Is Too Many

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One Drink May Help Heart, But Two Is Too Many

Published: 02/18/08

MONDAY, Feb. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Whether it's red wine or another spirit,

the heart and blood vessels benefit slightly from one drink, but a second erases

the positive effects, say Canadian researchers.

A study, published in the February edition of the American Journal of

Physiology, Heart and Circulatory Physiology, also raises more questions about

the popular notion that red wine may be more effective against heart disease

than other types of alcohol.

" We had anticipated that many of the effects of one ethanol drink would be

enhanced by red wine. What was most surprising was how similar the effects were

of red wine and ethanol. Any benefits that we found were not specific to red

wine, " Dr. Floras, director of cardiology research at the Munk

Cardiac Centre at Toronto General Hospital, said in a prepared statement.

Several population studies have shown light or moderate alcohol drinking may

lower the risk of death and the development of heart disease. Many studies have

also reported specific benefits of red wine.

The " French paradox, " in which studies have found lower rates of heart

disease, despite high-fat diets, in some European countries where red wine was

consumed regularly, has also spurred interest in exploring whether red wine has

special protective properties.

Researchers at the Canadian center conducted a real-time study of 13

volunteers who were given either 4 ounces of red wine, 1.5 ounces of ethanol or

water at random at three separate sessions over two weeks. The volunteers were

healthy, nonsmoking adults who were neither heavy drinkers nor total alcohol

abstainers.

The wine, a moderately priced pinot noir, contained a high t-resveratrol

content, a polyphenol compound found in plants, including red grapes, that

exhibits antioxidant properties. Alcohol or substances in alcohol such as

resveratrol may improve blood vessel function and also prevent platelets in the

blood from sticking together, thus reducing clot formation and the risk of heart

attack or stroke.

After one drink of either red wine or alcohol, blood vessels in the

participant were more dilated, reducing the work the heart had to do. However,

after two drinks, the heart rate, amount of blood pumped out of the heart, and

action of the sympathetic nervous system all increased. The ability of the blood

vessels to expand in response to an increase in blood flow also diminished.

Increases in heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity are recognized markers

for hypertension, heart failure and sudden death.

Floras cautioned that this study measured the effects of these drinks on one

occasion only. The effects of daily wine or alcohol intake may be quite

different.

" Our findings point to a slight beneficial effect of one drink -- be it

alcohol or red wine -- on the heart and blood vessels, whereas two or more

drinks would seem to turn on systems that stress the circulation. If these

actions are repeated frequently because of high alcohol consumption, these

effects may expose individuals to a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke or

chronic high blood pressure, " Floras said.

The American Heart Association does not recommend that anyone start drinking

alcohol to prevent heart disease. Reducing risk can be done using other methods

such as exercise and following a healthy diet.

More information

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism answers frequently

asked questions about alcohol and alcohol use.

Last reviewed: 02/18/2008 | Last updated: 02/18/2008

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