Does Alcohol Help the Heart?

QUESTION: Does alcohol help the heart?
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ANSWER: A few years ago, researchers announced that drinking alcohol in
moderation might reduce one's risk of coronary heart disease. In two
studies--done in Hawaii and Boston--the medical records of several hundred men
were evaluated and the statistics showed that those who drank lightly or
moderately had a lower incidence of heart disease than those who didn't drink.
Other researchers postulated that, like exercise, alcohol raises the blood
levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, the so-called "good"
cholesterol that protects coronary arteries from the "bad" cholesterol.
There is also evidence that light drinking may reduce risk of stroke in
men. However, heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke fourfold.
There is still a lot of debate going on over this question. Edward
Eichner, M.D., of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, pointed
out that people who drink moderately also eat moderately, which reduces risk
of heart disease by itself. Moderate drinking simply goes along with other
moderate habits that reduce risk, rather than changing the risk by itself. He
also notes that drinking alcohol raises blood pressure, can lead to weight
gain, and reduces glucose tolerance, which all increase the risk of heart
disease.
No one has ever doubted that heavy drinking is bad for anyone's health.
Before anyone decides to lift an elbow using the motive of it being medically
advisable for his or her health's sake, more evidence that it really is good
is needed.