Numerous reports have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption reduces heart disease. Now there's a new study that looked at the reasons why that is so.

Researchers at the National Institute of Aging, Gerontology Research Center, told attendees at the recent American Heart Association meeting that light to moderate alcohol intake may actually slow the stiffening of the arteries that occurs as we age. This gradual stiffening of the arteries causes increased systolic blood pressure (the top number in the BP reading).

In this study of 563 volunteers, researchers found the following:

• More than two drinks/day has more negative than beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.
• Arterial stiffness increases with age, but it increases less in light to moderate drinkers.
• Arterial stiffness of non-drinkers and heavy drinkers (10 or drinks/week) was 10% - 20% higher than that of light to moderate drinkers.
• The effect on arterial stiffness was similar for different types of alcohol (beer, wine or spirits).

Stiffening of the arteries is a risk factor for cardiac events or death, especially in people with cardiovascular disease. The authors of this study point out that it is not known whether reducing arterial stiffness will reduce those risks.

The AHA cautions people not to start drinking if they do not already do so just because of this report.

Related information Lifestyle changes - Alcohol

Source:  AHA. A drink a day takes some arterial stiffness away. American Heart Association meeting report, Nov. 12, 2001.