As numerous studies have proven, alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. But we do not always know precisely the risks to which we are exposed. However, even in small doses, alcohol can be dangerous for the body. A scientific study has just revealed the maximum number of glasses to drink per week to maintain a healthy heart.
We are well aware of the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption on behavior: aggression, drowsiness, slowed reaction time, attention problems, nausea, vomiting, “hangover” or even black out… Nothing very glorious but the ravages of alcohol do not stop there. Alcoholic beverages consumed regularly, and not necessarily in high doses, have a direct impact on short-term and long-term health: doctors are unanimous on this subject.
Among other things, alcohol is not good for the liver because it can cause cirrhosis and then liver cancer, but it is also not good for the brain, where it accelerates degeneration, a favorable breeding ground for the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or senile dementia. But until a recent study, the direct effects of alcohol on the heart were still subject to debate, with some experts going so far as to claim that a glass of wine a day was even good for heart health… However, we now knows more about the risks of alcohol consumption for the heart.
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Alcohol is not good for the heart
According to the American Heart Association, drinking too much alcohol promotes high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. But what we knew less was at what dose, particularly in women, alcohol could be dangerous for the heart. However, according to a recent study, even in moderate doses, it is strongly recommended not to consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis if you want to maintain a healthy heart.
In a new study of 432,265 people – about 243,000 men and 189,000 women between the ages of 18 and 65 – experts found that women who drank on average more than one alcoholic drink per day were at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. This research carried out by Kaiser Permanente Northern California is enough to give a cold sweat to all those who simply drink a glass of wine with each meal, thinking that their consumption is moderate and without risks…
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Heart disease caused by alcohol
According to this study, drinking more than one drink per day increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, which therefore affects the coronary arteries, the main blood vessels irrigating the heart. And when they’re weakened, they can’t send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. The main symptoms of coronary heart disease are shortness of breath and chest pain. However, for many people there are no warning signs and heart attack is the first sign of coronary heart disease.
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According to the same study, consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks each week increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease by 33 to 51%, particularly in young and middle-aged women compared to women who drink less. For women who consume even more alcohol per week, even if it is just for one evening and they are sober the rest of the week, the risk of developing coronary heart disease increases to 68%.
News journalist
A true jack-of-all-trades, passionate about travel, culture, society, people and beauty, Saliha writes for various media such as Escapade magazine, the GEOguide collection by Gallimard, Le Figaro…