“Moderate alcohol consumption” is defined as: not drinking more than one unit of alcohol / day for women and two units of alcohol / day for men (1 unit of alcohol is equivalent to a glass of 30 ml of spirits (40%)). A study recently presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Session at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of death from heart disease. higher pulse than those who do not drink or drink too much alcohol.
This is the first study to show that moderate alcohol consumption can protect the heart by reducing stress signals in the brain. Kenechukwu Mezue, a nuclear physician and cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who led the study, said:
“Stress-related activities in the brain in people who do not drink alcohol or drink excessively (more than 14 drinks per week) are much higher than in those who drink in moderation … A moderate amount of Alcohol in the body has a positive effect on the brain to help you feel more relaxed while reducing nervous stress level. These mechanisms indirectly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease caused by stress. cause nerves ”.
However, Mezue also claims that this finding does not encourage people to drink alcohol. In terms of medicine, it helps doctors and professionals to add new therapeutic method or to make indications of activities to help reduce stress like exercise, yoga … thus helping patients to improve their heart health.
This study shows that moderate alcohol consumption has positive and complementary effects on the connection between the brain and the heart. However, alcohol consumption can lead to side effects and significant effects such as increased risk of cancer, liver damage …
Another related study (also presented at ACC.21) says: “Exercise may have a positive effect on brain activity, contributing to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and other health events.”
Researchers report that exercise can reduce stress in the brain in different ways and at different levels of exercise. There is ample evidence to indicate that there is a link between stress and cardiovascular disease. However, there is currently very little research on reducing cardiovascular disease by regulating nervous stress levels.
The results obtained from the health care survey conducted by Mass General Brigham Biobank with a scale of 53,064 participants, of which 59.9% are women with an average age of 57.2 years. The level of alcohol consumption is divided into several levels such as low alcohol consumption (<1 drink / week), medium (1 to 14 drinks / week) and high (more than 14 drinks / week). Cardiovascular events / risks, including heart attacks, strokes or other hospitalizations… are determined using diagnostic codes (DCIs).
Of the patients in the study, 752 had previously undergone an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography or PET scan – the commonly used method to screen for cancer – however it may be. See areas of increased activity in the brain. The scans / tomography allowed researchers to measure activity in stress-related areas of the brain.
Additionally, researchers assessed stress in the brain by measuring the amygdala (the part of the brain associated with fear and stress) and dividing it by activities in the anterior cortex (the part of the brain) related to functions. operational). Finally, the researchers grouped the patients according to the level of brain stress activity.
Moderate drinkers have a 20% lower risk of developing dangerous problems than those who drink less alcohol
Of the 53,064 participants, 7,905 (15%) reported having suffered from at least one serious cardiovascular problem, of which the low-alcohol group accounted for 17% and the moderate drinker group, 13%. In addition, moderate drinkers have a 20% lower risk of dangerous problems than those who drink less alcohol, while having fewer stress-related problems in the brain.
Previous studies have shown a strong link between the amygdala and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, stroke, or even death. Current research shows a link between moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of cardiovascular events through a decrease in tonsillar activity.
Currently, research is limited by the veracity of the record of the average amount of alcohol consumed per week. Data sources were provided by one center and each study participant only had one brain scan. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the effects of alcohol on impaired brain activity by repeated brain scan experiences accompanied by detailed assessments of alcohol consumption over time.
