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The death rate for coronary heart disease in France is half of what it is in the United States, despite similar intakes of animal fat. This observation has been termed the "French Paradox." One possible explanation for the difference in death rate between these two countries may be due to the intake of wine among the French population, particularly red wine.
The most well known effect of moderate alcohol consumption is the increase in "good" (HDL) cholesterol. HDL is protective against heart disease, so the higher HDL cholesterol is, the better! Alcohol contains certain substances that prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together. This may reduce clot formation and the risk of heart attack or stroke. Red wine contains flavonoids and antioxidants, which are cardio-protective substances. These are naturally occurring substances derived from the skin of grapes and other fruits and vegetables. The consumption of red wine has been demonstrated to have a greater benefit in preventing heart disease than other types of alcohol.
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One Drink Equals:
One 12 oz. Beer
4 oz. of wine
1.5 oz. 80-proof spirits
1.0 oz. 100-proof spirits
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The positive effects of drinking alcohol are lost when consumed in excess. Excessive intake can cause high blood pressure, stroke, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Individuals who drink alcohol should do so in moderation. Moderate
drinking is defined as 1-2 drinks daily for men, and 1 drink daily for women. This does not mean that drinks should be "banked" for the weekend. Binge drinking has serious effects of it’s own including stroke, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Drinking during pregnancy is never recommended.
Although individuals that drink moderate amounts of alcohol are affected less by heart disease than nondrinkers, the American Heart Association cautions people not to start drinking if they are currently nondrinkers. Other effective ways to increase HDL cholesterol include increasing physical activity levels, losing weight, and eating a well balanced diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
References:
American Dietetic Association. A Toast to Good Health.
American Heart Association. Alcohol, Wine, and Cardiovascular Disease.
Goldberg, I.J., Mosca, L., Piano, M., Fisher, E.A. (2001). Wine and Your Heart: A Science Advisory for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Council on Cardiovascular Nursing of the American Heart Association. Circulation, 103 (3), pp. 472-475.
Gronbaek, Morten (2002). Alcohol, Type of Alcohol, and All-Cause and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 957, pp. 16-20.
Sato, Motoaki; Maulik, Nilanjana; and Das, Dipak K. (2002). Cardioprotection with Alcohol: Role of Both Alcohol and Polyphenolic Antioxidants. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 957, pp. 122-135.
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