Summary
Light to moderate drinking is associated with lower risk of coronary heart (CHD) than
non-drinkers. We have examined the relationships between total alcohol intake and
type of alcoholic beverage and several potential biological mechanisms.
We carried out the study in 3158 men aged 60-79 years drawn from general practices
in 24 British towns with no history of myocardial infarction, stroke or diabetes and
who were not on warfarin. Total alcohol consumption showed a significant positive
dose-response relationship with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), coagulation
factor IX, haematocrit, blood viscosity, and tissue plasminogen (t-PA) antigen, and
an inverse dose-response relationship with insulin, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor
(vWF) and triglycerides after adjustment for possible confounders. Total alcohol consumption
showed weak associations with plasma viscosity and fibrin D-dimer, and no association
with factors VII, VIII, or C-reactive protein (CRP). Wine was specifically associated
with lower CRP, plasma viscosity, factor VIII and triglycerides.
The findings are consistent with the suggestion that HDL-C in particular but also
insulin and haemostatic factors may contribute to the beneficial effect of light to
moderate drinking on risk of CHD.Wine has effects that may confer greater protection
than other alcoholic beverages.
Keywords
Alcohol intake - haemostasis - insulin - lipids