The World Heart Federation released a policy brief on the myths and measures of the impact of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health. As we learned from Dr. Lara Devgan in a recent SuperAge podcast episode, no amount of alcohol is “good” or even “neutral” for our health. Although alcohol is a widely accepted drug in our society and plays a role in many social activities, it has also played a major role in the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). As the World Heart Federation explains, CVD has nearly doubled in the past several decades. In fact, “More than 18.5 million individuals have died of CVD, making it the leading cause of global mortality and disability.” Alcohol has also been attributed to incidences of cancers like oral cavity, liver, stomach, breast, colon, rectum, and more. Alcohol also increases the risk “for hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and flutter, and strokes.”
With such strong evidence and research on why we should abstain from drinking, what is the World Heart Federation’s recommendation for those who choose to drink? “There are no safe recommended levels of alcohol consumption – those who drink are advised to consult with their doctor on how to make healthy choices.”
https://world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/uploads/WHF-Policy-Brief-Alcohol.pdf