You probably know that moderate alcocol consumption — one daily drink for women and two for men — protects your heart (1). People who regularly drink a modest amount of alcohol are healthier than teetotalers or heavy drinkers. It was thought that the alcohol (ethanol) itself was responsible for these health benefits. Its cardioprotective effect was attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity and HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels (1).

A new study suggests yet another way in which moderate drinking may benefit your heart — it increases omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (2). European investigators asked 1604 men and women from Belgium, England and Italy, 26 to 65 years of age, to recall their dietary intakes over the course of one year. An analysis of their answers showed that

• In women, alcohol consumption raised EPA and DHA levels in plasma as well as in the membranes of red blood cells
• In men, only EPA plasma and red blood cell levels increased with alcohol use; there was no corresponding DHA increase.
• Only wine increased fatty acid levels; beer and hard liquor had no such effect.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the major omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cold-water fish and fish oils.

The fact that only wine raises long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels suggests that factors other that alcohol may be responsible. Polyphenolic compounds like resveratrol are obvious candidates.

Remember that these heart health benefits are only observed with regular moderate alcohol use — about one drink per day for women and two for men. An occasional drink has no noticeable health benefit. At the other extreme, excessive drinking is obviously a major health hazard. All things in moderation.

Cheers

Sources:

1. O′Keefe JH, Bybee KA, Javie CJ. Alcohol and cardiovascular health. The razor-sharp double-edged sword. J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:1009-1014.
   http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/reprint/50/11/1009.pdf
2. di Giuseppe R, de Lorgeril M, Salen P et al. Alcohol consumption and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in healthy men and women from 3 European populations. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;
   [Abstract]