Wine and beer within a moderate alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of HDL-c and adiponectin

The scientific evidence available on the association between moderate alcohol intake and levels of blood cardiometabolic markers is still inconsistent and difficult to interpret for future disease prevention. However, the authors of a paper published in the March edition Nutrition Research hypothesize that moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with lower levels of inflammation markers and higher levels of protective cardiometabolic markers. Their work examined the associations of moderate alcohol intake and the type of alcoholic beverage with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.
An observational, cross-sectional study including 143 apparently healthy adults 55 years of age and older was performed. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on alcoholic beverage intake frequency, food frequency, physical activity, socioeconomic status, diseases and medications, and other health- related habits. Three groups were established prior to recruitment: (1) abstainers and occasional consumers (ABS, n = 54); (2) beer consumers (BEER ≥80% of total alcohol intake; n = 40), and (3) mixed beverage consumers (MIXED; n = 49).
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and sP-selectin were significantly higher in the MIXED group than in the ABS group, and adiponectin was higher in the MIXED group compared to the BEER group. All alcohol consumers also had higher mean platelet volume values compared to abstainers and occasional consumers. In linear regression analyses, HDL-c, sP-selectin, and adiponectin were positively associated with wine intake (g/d); and mean platelet volume, with beer intake.
In conclusion, this cross-sectional study showed that moderate alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of beneficial HDL-c cholesterol and adiponectin compared to those in abstainers, which are mainly explained by wine intake.
Source: Wine and beer within a moderate alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of HDL-c and adiponectin. Nova E, San Mauro-Martín I, Díaz-Prieto LE, Marcos A. Nutr Res. 2019 Mar;63:42-50.