Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body uses to make certain hormones, bile and cell membranes. Cholesterol in the blood, on the other hand, can be dangerous because of its role in coronary artery disease. Alcohol has a modest effect on one form of cholesterol, known as HDL-cholesterol, but it can also affect the levels of other fats and lipids in your blood.
Lipoproteins
To understand alcohol's effects on your risk of getting heart disease, it is important to understand the roles that different forms of cholesterol play in your body. Cholesterol in the blood is packaged into complexes known as lipoproteins. One type of lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, promotes the development of atherosclerosis because it deposits cholesterol in the walls of the arteries. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, can help protect you from developing atherosclerosis because it pulls excess cholesterol out of the blood, the American Heart Association says.
Alcohol and HDL
Moderate consumption of alcohol can cause HDL-cholesterol levels to be higher by as much as 4 mg per dL of blood, eMedTV says. While this may not seem like much, a low level of HDL-cholesterol is less than 40 mg per dL of blood, so moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a strategy to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. High levels of HDL cholesterol can help protect you from atherosclerosis and heart disease, whereas low HDL levels increase your risk of these conditions.
Mechanism
It is not entirely understood how alcohol increases HDL-cholesterol levels in humans. A 2000 study published in "Circulation" suggested a possible mechanism. Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II are needed for the body to make HDL-cholesterol. This study found that alcohol sped up the rate at which these proteins are transported in the body, which would make it easier for HDL-cholesterol molecules to be made.
Considerations
Although moderate consumption of alcohol can help improve your cardiovascular health, heavy alcohol consumption can increase the amount of triglycerides in your blood, which can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Heavy alcohol consumption can also lead to high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes, the American Heart Association says, which can all increase your risk of developing heart disease. As a result, alcohol is only good for your heart when consumed in moderation.
