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Alcohol consumption and arterial stiffness in men
Aafje Sierksma1, Majon Muller, Yvonne T van der Schouw
1Department of Nutritional Physiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Journal of Hypertension
|April 13, 2004
Summary
Moderate alcohol intake shows a J-shaped association with aortic stiffness in men, suggesting a potential cardiovascular benefit. This finding supports the idea that moderate drinking may reduce coronary heart disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Alcohol Research
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Moderate alcohol consumption is hypothesized to offer protection against coronary heart disease.
- Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse-wave velocity (PWV), is a key indicator of atherosclerotic damage and cardiovascular risk.
- A potential vascular protective effect of moderate alcohol intake would manifest as reduced aortic stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and aortic stiffness in middle-aged and older men.
- To determine if moderate alcohol intake is linked to lower levels of arterial stiffness.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 370 men aged 40-80 years from Utrecht.
- Alcohol intake was assessed using a standardized questionnaire.
- Aortic stiffness was non-invasively measured using pulse-wave velocity (PWV).
Main Results:
- A J-shaped association was observed between alcohol consumption and PWV.
- Men consuming 4-10 and 11-21 glasses of alcohol weekly showed significantly lower mean PWV compared to the reference group (0-3 glasses/week).
- The association remained consistent after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- A J-shaped relationship exists between alcohol consumption and aortic stiffness in men aged 40-80.
- These findings suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
- The study supports the anti-atherogenic potential of moderate alcohol intake.