Beer, wine consumption, and 10-year CVD incidence

Low/moderate alcohol consumption seems to be protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD). A study aimed to investigate the association of wine/beer consumption with the 10-year CVD incidence.
During2001-2002,3,042CVD-freeadultsconsented to participate in the ATTICA study; of them 2,583 completed the 10-year follow-up and precise information about fatal/nonfatal CVD incidence (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cardiac ischemia, heart failure, chronic arrhythmias, and stroke) was available in 2,020 participants (overall retention rate 66%). Alcohol/ethanol intake and the alcoholic beverages consumed were assessed; participants were categorised into three groups (no use; ≤1 glass/week; >1 glass/week).
Alcohol drinking was reported by 56% of the participants who did not develop a CVD event and 49% of those who had; whereas ethanol intake was 14 ± 16 g among those who did not had an event vs. 21 ± 18 g among those who had a CVD event).
A strong inverse and similar association between low wine/beer intake (≤1 glass/week) and the risk of developing CVD was observed [HR: 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.98; and HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.93, respectively], as compared to abstention. No significant association was found in participants exceeding drinking 1 glass/week compared with abstainers. Compared to <2 g/day ethanol intake, participants who reported 2-10, 10-20, and >20 g/day had CVD-risk HRs (95% CI)
of 0.60 (0.40-0.98), 1.22 (0.60-1.14), and 1.81 (0.70-
4.61), respectively.
This study revealed similar results of low wine/ beer consumption against CVD incidence, mainly due to its implication on low-grade chronic inflammation.
Source: Beer, wine consumption, and 10-year CVD incidence: the ATTICA study. Panagiotakos DB, Kouli GM, Magriplis E, Kyrou I, Georgousopoulou EN, Chrysohoou C, Tsigos C, Tousoulis D, Pitsavos C. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019 Jul;73(7):1015-1023.