July 11, 2014

expert reaction to alcohol intake and cardiovascular health

Research published in the BMJ reported an association between lower alcohol consumption and better cardiovascular health.

Prof Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, said:

“This impressive international study of over a quarter of a million people rightly concludes we should not accept the dogma that alcohol drinking is good for us. Gene markers are often a better way of assessing behaviour than unreliable questionnaires. However this study has limitations because people with genes for alcohol intolerance may also have other unmeasured behaviours or traits that reduce heart disease. A good example might be if they also had different gut microbes which prevented heart disease. While clinical trials will be difficult, combining these genetic data with changes in drinking over time should give us more answers.”

Dr Tim Chico, Senior Clinical Lecturer and honorary Consultant Cardiologist, University of Sheffield, said:

“The idea that a favourite tipple prevents heart disease is deeply ingrained, and often appealing. Sadly, the suggestion alcohol is protective is probably too good to be true. This study uses what is called Mendelian randomisation to try to avoid problems that often wrongly lead to associations between lifestyle factors and disease. It found no evidence for a protective effect of alcohol; in fact it suggested any alcohol intake may increase risk of heart disease. This is not yet definite and needs to be confirmed, but it certainly did not see evidence for a protective effect.

“There are few if any health benefits to drinking alcohol, even in moderation. I know people are confused that one day doctors say one thing, the next come out with something different, or totally opposite. The way I ask my patients to see this is that although we have made huge leaps in our understanding of what causes heart disease, we are only at the beginning of a journey which I hope will lead to its eradication. The ongoing debates about statins, diet, exercise etc. are part of that process, and reinforce, not undermine the importance of medical research. To reduce your risk of heart disease you should walk to your greengrocer, not drive to your off-licence.”

‘Association between alcohol and cardiovascular disease: Mendelian randomisation analysis based on individual participant data’ by Michael V Holmes et al. published in the BMJ on Friday 11 July 2014.

Declared interests

None declared