Alcohol consumption and carotid intima-media thickness in different genders

The role of alcohol consumption as an independent risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) remains debated. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a key biomarker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. A study investigated the impact of alcohol consumption on CIMT across genders and examined gender differences.
Data from 31,239 participants in the UK Biobank was analysed, categorising them by average weekly alcohol consumption into non-drinkers, former drinkers, light drinkers, moderate, and heavy drinkers. CIMT measurements were classified into quartiles. The associations between alcohol consumption (quantity and type) and CIMT in both men and women were examined.

Among males, moderate and heavy drinkers had fewer individuals in the lowest carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) quartile compared to the highest quartile group, while never-drinkers males showed the opposite trend. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals in the highest CIMT quartile increased with higher alcohol consumption, although this association was not observed in females. Multivariable regression analysis revealed a significantly increased CIMT risk in moderate-to-heavy drinking (>112 g/week) males compared to never drinkers (OR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.02-1.55), but no such association was found in females (OR 1.05, 95 % CI 0.89-1.24). Beer plus cider consumption was linked to increased CIMT risk in men (OR 1.34, 95 % CI 1.05-1.70), whereas no protective effect was observed for red wine (OR 1.20, 95 % CI 0.95-1.51).
The authors state that, due to limitations inherent in their study design, the findings can only be considered as tentative conclusions, and establishing a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and CIMT is not possible. However, the findings indicate a gender-specific effect of alcohol on CIMT thickening risk, prompting further research.
Source: Sui Y, Zhang R, Liu G, Liu Y, Du Y, Zhang Y, Fu S, Nie Z, Qin H, & Ma L. (2025) Alcohol consumption and carotid intima-media thickness in different genders: A cross-sectional UK biobank study. International Journal of Cardiology, 439:133644.