Moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, may provide health benefits which include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Alcohol consumption also has a dose-response effect on high-density lipoprotein, a heart-healthy lipoprotein commonly known as "good" cholesterol, with quantities in excess of two drinks providing additional increases in HDL. However, excessive alcohol consumption carries with it health risks that far outweigh the benefit that a modest increase in HDL provides.
HDL
HDL carries cholesterol from the blood back to the liver. The more HDL in the blood, the less cholesterol, and because cholesterol causes atherosclerosis, or plaque build-up in arterial walls, less cholesterol means less atherosclerosis. For this reason HDL is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol carrier. HDL levels between 40 and 60mg/dL are considered normal. HDL levels greater than 60mg/dL may offer protection from heart disease.
Alcohol and HDL
In a study published by the American Heart Association, alcohol given in the amount ranging from 0.20 to0.81g/kg/d led to HDL increases of 18 percent. Another study, published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology," found that HDL cholesterol increased with more alcohol consumption until about 450ml of ethanol consumption per day, indicating a dose-response effect. In other words, the more alcohol consumed -- up to a point -- the more HDL in the blood. However, the study noted that among those with the highest concentrations of HDL were many alcoholics suffering from liver disease.
Alcohol Types
HDL levels are affected more by the amount of alcohol consumed than by the type of alcoholic beverage. The American Heart Association study used vodka. Red wine's cardioprotective quality may be due in greater part to other compounds present in wine, which act as antioxidants to prevent damage to arteries and which are also present in raisins and grape juice.
Other Methods to Increase HDL
The best-known effect of alcohol is a small increase in HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, regular physical activity is also effective in raising HDL cholesterol, and for a further increase, niacin can be prescribed. These are preferable to alcohol consumption, as ethanol raises triglyceride levels, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Niacin, on the other hand, decreases triglycerides, as does regular physical activity.
Warning
Drinking more than one or two drinks per day poses significant health risks which include high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer, suicide and accidents. Because it is not possible to predict in which people alcoholism will become a problem, the American Heart Association cautions abstainers not to start drinking merely for the sake of possible health benefits, as the risks clearly outweigh the benefits.
Tips
Other effective methods to raise HDL levels without jeopardizing health include weight loss, smoking cessation, eliminating trans fats and increasing monounsaturated fats. Additionally, cranberry juice, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as leafy green vegetables, are known to increase HDL.
References
- USDA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005
- Health Publications: Alcoholic Beverages and HDL Cholesterol
- American Heart Association: Alcohol, Wine, and Cardiovascular Disease
- "Circulation"; Alcohol Consumption Raises HDL Cholesterol Levels by Increasing the Transport Rate of Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II; Elizabeth R. De Oliveira e Silva, M.D. et al.; Nov. 7, 2000
- American Journal of Epidemiology: Alcohol Consumption and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration Among Alcoholics
