Researchers challenge the long-standing belief that “a little alcohol” can protect the heart.
Raising a glass “to health” may not mean what many people think. A new international review of studies suggests that alcohol can damage the heart even at low or moderate levels of consumption, increasing the risk of arrhythmias, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and long-term cardiac disease.
The researchers found that even occasional or moderate drinking can trigger episodes of atrial fibrillation, a common but potentially dangerous heart rhythm disorder. This challenges the popular idea that one daily drink—especially wine—offers cardiovascular protection. Any short-term benefit, such as a slight increase in “good” HDL cholesterol, disappears quickly as intake rises.
According to the analysis, heavier drinking and binge episodes set off a cascade of harmful processes: oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular damage, and structural changes in the heart muscle. Over time, this can lead to conditions like alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which weakens the heart and raises the risk of heart failure and serious arrhythmias.
The authors emphasize that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption, especially for people with genetic risk factors or pre-existing heart conditions. Their conclusions echo warnings from global health authorities, reinforcing the message that alcohol is a toxic substance with measurable cardiovascular consequences.
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