Beer, as well as wine, has a positive effect on the heart
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Beer, as well as wine, positively affects the cardiovascular system, say Italian scientists. This effect can be achieved by regular and moderate consumption of the drink.
Using the statistical meta-analysis approach, the study combined various scientific papers conducted around the world in previous years. Thus, it became possible to study the data of more than 200 000 people for whom the habit of drinking alcohol was a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
The results confirmed what was already known about wine: moderate consumption (about two glasses a day for men and women) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease to 31%. This is the first study that showed the manifestation of a dose-dependent effect of alcohol consumption and the prevention of heart disease.
The maximum positive effect of beer is observed when drinking a 0.5 liter drink containing 5% alcohol per day.
"In our studies," explains Simona Costanzo, the author of the article, "we considered wine and beer separately: first, there was a decrease in cardiovascular risk - with low and moderate use." Then, with the increase in the amount of alcohol consumed, it can be seen that the positive effect disappears , increasing the risk of developing many other diseases.An interesting part of our study is that we used the data of 12 studies, as a result, we were able to compare directly the consumption of wine and beer. I have this information, we were able to observe that the risk curves for the two beverages tightly overlapped. "
But beer, like wine, is alcohol, so you have to be careful about the question of its use. "We say," says Augusto di Castelnuovo, head of the Statistical Division of Research Laboratories, "about regular but moderate consumption of alcohol, for example, you can drink one glass of beer during dinner with your family or friends."
"The data presented in our meta-analysis," stresses Di Castelnuovo, "can not be extrapolated to all young women of childbearing age, since alcohol can increase the risk of developing certain cancers."
The mechanisms of the positive influence of beer and wine on heart health remain unsolved: the effects observed by scientists stem from the consumption of alcohol alone or from the effects of other substances contained in beverages? Wine and beer, different in composition, except for the presence of alcohol in them, so that probably he is the main player. But both drinks contain polyphenols, although different. Scientists intend to conduct additional studies to study which substances have a positive effect on the heart.
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