Light-to-moderate drinking can lower risk of heart failure

In a Norwegian population where the average consumption of alcoholic beverages is low, moderate intake of alcohol was inversely associated with the risk of heart failure.

A group of researchers from Sweden, Norway and the USA analyzed the association between light-to-moderate alcohol intake and the risk of heart failure (HF) in a population-based study of 60,665 individuals free of HF.  Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, i.e. more than five times per month, was associated with the lowest risk of HF. Comparing this group to individuals with an alcohol intake less than once per month, the results showed a 17 % reduced risk of HF. The results did not show any evidence for a differential effect according to beverage type. In addition, the competing risks of death from other causes did not modify the association.

Gémes K, Janszky I, Ahnve S, et al. Light-to-moderate drinking and incident heart failure – the Norwegian HUNT study. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Jan 15;203:553-60.

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.

http://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/retrieve/pii/S0167527315307440