[Moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of ischemic heart disease. A causal connection or a coincidence?]

Abstract

A negative association between light to moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease has been documented in numerous ecological, case-control and cohort studies. The observed association is in the order of a 40-60% reduction in risk among light to moderate drinkers. The epidemiological findings are consistent, and several plausible biological mechanisms by which alcohol could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease add support to the hypothesis that the association is casual. The epidemiological evidence confirms the wellknown risk of adverse health effects of alcohol consumption above one to two drinks a day for women and one to three drinks a day for men.