High levels of cholesterol can cause many health risks, which include heart disease, heart attack or a stroke, notes the American Heart Association. Some people believe that drinking alcohol can help lower cholesterol levels. There are two different types of cholesterol in your body. Alcohol only affects the high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol.
Alcohol Effects
Drinking too much alcohol can raise the triglycerides levels in your blood and can also lead to other complications, such as high blood pressure, heart failure or weight gain. The AHA recommends you drink alcohol in moderation, if you drink alcohol at all. This means drinking one serving a day of alcohol for women and two servings a day for men.
Cholesterol Features
Cholesterol is the waxy substance in your bloodstream. There are two types of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol is known as the bad cholesterol because it sticks to the walls of your arteries, which can cause health problems. HDL cholesterol is known as the good cholesterol because it acts as a transporter by taking the LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is processed and destroyed.
Theories/Speculation
The AHA notes there have been several studies on alcohol and lowering cholesterol and that there is a possibility that drinking red wine can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Drinking alcohol can help raise HDL levels of cholesterol but drinking alcohol does not help lower LDL cholesterol levels. The increase in HDL cholesterol could possibly help lower your overall cholesterol.
Misconceptions
The possible benefits of alcohol could come from other sources, notes the AHA. Red wine may be effective in raising HDL because of a property in the grapes used to make the wine. Drinking more alcohol or drinking excessively will not help anything. Excessive drinking will cause more health problems than it will help by lowering cholesterol.
Considerations
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for five to seven days a week and eat a healthy diet to lower your cholesterol. Do not start drinking alcohol because you heard that it can help lower your cholesterol. Consult your doctor advice on lowering your cholesterol. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you may need medication to help lower your current levels of cholesterol.
