Moderate alcohol consumption and lipoprotein subfractions

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improvement in cardiovascular risk markers, including lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions.
A study aimed to systematically review the relationship between moderate alcohol intake, lipoprotein subfractions, and related mechanisms. Following PRISMA, all human and ex vivo studies with an alcohol intake up to 60 g/d were included from 8 databases. A total of 17 478 studies were screened, and data were extracted from 37 intervention and 77 observational studies.
Alcohol intake was positively associated with all HDL subfractions. A few studies found lower levels of small LDLs, increased average LDL particle size, and nonlinear relationships to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Cholesterol efflux capacity and paraoxonase activity were consistently increased. Several studies had unclear or high risk of bias, and heterogeneous laboratory methods restricted comparability between studies.
The study concluded that up to 60 g/d alcohol can cause changes in lipoprotein subfractions and related mechanisms that could influence cardiovascular health.
NB It should be noted that 60 g a day of alcohol is not a moderate level of consumption, but a harmful level of drinking. Where low risk guidelines exist, they recommend no more than 10 – 20g a day for men or women.
Source: Trine L Wilkens, Kaare Tranæs, Jane N Eriksen, Lars O Dragsted, Moderate alcohol consumption and lipoprotein subfractions: a systematic review of intervention and observational studies, Nutrition Reviews, 2021;, nuab102,