Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have made an interesting discovery about how a small to moderate amount of alcohol might affect heart health.
Their study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explores how moderate drinking may lower the risk of heart disease by reducing stress signals in the brain.
The lead researcher, Dr. Ahmed Tawakol, a cardiologist, clarified that they are not encouraging alcohol as a way to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Instead, they aim to understand how alcohol influences the body and whether similar benefits can be achieved through non-alcoholic methods.
For years, some studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption could have heart health benefits. Drinking about one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
However, it wasn’t clear if alcohol was directly responsible for these benefits or if they were due to other factors, like leading a healthier lifestyle or having better access to healthcare.
In this new study, the researchers analyzed data from over 50,000 participants in the Mass General Brigham Biobank.
Even after adjusting for lifestyle and health factors, they found that people who drank moderate amounts of alcohol had fewer heart issues compared to those who drank little or none.
To dig deeper, the team studied brain scans from 754 people to understand how alcohol affects the brain. They found that moderate drinkers had less activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in stress response.
Those who drank little to no alcohol had higher levels of stress-related brain activity. The study also revealed a link between lower stress signals in the brain and fewer heart problems, like heart attacks and strokes, in moderate drinkers.
Dr. Tawakol noted that while alcohol temporarily reduces how reactive the amygdala is to stress, the findings suggest that moderate alcohol use might also have a longer-term effect in calming this part of the brain.
When the amygdala is frequently activated, it can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and even trigger inflammation. These effects can lead to serious conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
The study found that the protective effects of moderate alcohol use were especially noticeable in people experiencing chronic stress, such as those with anxiety. In fact, the heart-protective effect was nearly doubled in these individuals.
However, the study also emphasized the risks of drinking alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can raise the risk of cancer, and higher levels of drinking can damage both the brain and the heart.
The researchers are now looking into other ways to reduce stress in the brain without alcohol. They are exploring how activities like exercise, meditation, and certain medications might offer the same heart-protective benefits as moderate drinking, but without the risks.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into how moderate alcohol consumption might help heart health by lowering stress signals in the brain.
However, it also warns of the dangers linked to alcohol use. The researchers hope to find safer alternatives that can deliver the same benefits without the harmful side effects of alcohol.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and common blood test could advance heart failure treatment.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about a new way to repair human heart, and results showing drinking coffee may help reduce heart failure risk.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
