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Alcohol & Its Effect on Cholesterol

Studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation in addition to a healthy diet can help keep cholesterol levels low. On the other hand, drinking too much can bring on serious health risks like obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Conflicting information can be confusing and frightening. When does drinking alcohol actually benefit one's health?

  1. Good and bad cholesterol

    • Cholesterol is essential in the function of our body's hormones and cells. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the "bad" cholesterol. You want to strive to have a high HDL and a low LDL. Too much of the bad cholesterol can cause blood clots in the arteries and lead to coronary heart disease and stroke. For most people, exercising, eating healthy and being at an optimal weight is enough to keep their cholesterol down.

    Alcohol may raise HDL

    • Drinking alcohol does not actually lower your total cholesterol level. It does, however, increase the HDL (the good cholesterol) because of substances that inhibit platelets in the blood stream from sticking together, thus keeping blood from clotting.

    Amount of alcohol

    • Drinking too much can actually cause health problems. So how much is too much? According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the "lowest coronary heart disease mortality occurs at an intake of one or two drinks per day." A drink is considered 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor, or 4 ounces of wine.

      A 1999 study from the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University warns that even moderate alcohol intake can have adverse effects on a person's cholesterol level especially with those who have a family history of high cholesterol. These results imply that effects can vary from one individual to another.

    Red wine vs. other alcoholic beverages

    • Red wine has been shown to have more effect on cholesterol than other alcoholic beverages because red wine contains antioxidants which have been linked to heart health. The French who drink wine daily have half the amount of heart disease than Americans.

    Caution

    • The American Heart Association cautions people against increasing their alcohol intake or starting to drink if they don't already do so. There are other ways of lowering your cholesterol such as exercise and healthy eating habits.

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