Is Wine Fine Or Beer Better
Almost 200 years ago, an Irish doctor noted that chest pain was far less common in France than in Ireland. He attributed the difference to the French habits and mode of living.
The comparatively low rate of heart disease in France despite a diet that includes plenty of butter and cheese has come to be known as the French paradox. Some experts have suggested that red wine makes the difference, something the wine industry has heavily and heartily endorsed. But theres far more to the French paradox than red wine. The diet and lifestyle in parts of France, especially in the south, have much in common with other Mediterranean regions, and these may account for some of the protection against heart disease.
Some studies have suggested that red wineparticularly when drunk with a mealoffers more cardiovascular benefits than beer or spirits. These range from international comparisons showing a lower prevalence of coronary heart disease in wine-drinking countries than in beer- or liquor-drinking countries.
Beer contains similar phenolic compounds as red wine but in lower amounts, including quercetin, epicatechins, and gallic acid. About 70-80% of polyphenols in beer come from barley malt, and another 20-30% from hops, the flowers from the hop plant.
Does Alcohol Increase Cholesterol Levels
While alcohol itself does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels in the blood in good and bad ways. To understand the link between alcohol and cholesterol, it is helpful to first understand how alcohol is broken down in the body.
The liver metabolizes alcohol and also produces cholesterol. Consuming alcohol can raise cholesterol levels because alcohol is processed through the same organ that is responsible for making cholesterol. For example, studies show that excessive drinking may increase LDL levels, which is the bad type of cholesterol.
In addition, alcohol is known to raise triglyceride levels. Your body will break down calories from alcohol to use as fuel before other nutrients in your body. Because alcohol is often consumed in addition to food, your body is more likely to store calories from food as fats in the form of triglycerides. Many alcoholic drinks also contain added sugars, which further increases the risk of raising triglyceride levels. High triglyceride levels can lead to liver damage, including fatty liver disease.
On the other hand, light to moderate intake has been shown to possibly raise HDL, the good type of cholesterol. Specifically, some research has shown that drinking one 4-ounce serving per day of red wine has been linked to heart health, including increasing HDL levels. However, this benefit may be coming more from the other beneficial components of wine including resveratrol, rather than the alcohol itself.
Red Wine And Type 2 Diabetes
Even though some alcoholic beverages increase blood glucose levels, research indicates that drinking red wine may actually be beneficial to those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
In a recent study out of the Annals of Internal Medicine, it was found that drinking red wine in moderation can decrease the chances of developing heart disease in those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
In this study, greater than 200 research participants were watched for up to 2 years. One group were instructed to drink a glass of red wine every day with supper, while others drank white wine and still others drank mineral water instead. All participants ate a Mediterranean-type diet that didnt restrict the intake of calories.
The study lasted 2 years. After 2 years, those who drank red wine had elevated levels of HDL cholesterol and decreased total cholesterol than were found in people who drank white wine or only drank mineral water. There were also benefits in the blood glucose level in the red wine drinking population. Researchers believed that drinking moderate amounts of this type of alcoholic beverage along with eating a healthy diet may moderately decrease the risk of heart disease.
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The Effect Of Beer On Cholesterol And Triglycerides
There are not a lot of studies specifically examining how beer can affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Most studies include many types of alcoholic beverages to examine their effect on cholesterol, triglycerides, and heart health as a whole. In these studies, the type or brand of beer was not usually noted.
Studies have examined the consumption of beer products on lipids in amounts ranging from 60 to 340 mL daily for a duration between 4 and 6 weeks on average.
In some studies, people drinking at least one beer beverage a day saw an increase in healthy high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by up to 11%. Additionally, unhealthy low-density lipoprotein levels in some studies were lowered by up to 18%, although some other studies did not see a significant decrease in LDL.
The manner in which beer may affect your lipid levels is not known.
One study showed that consuming one beer daily could reduce the oxidation of LDL. However, consumption of three or more beers daily actually promoted LDL oxidation. Studies have shown that oxidized LDL can promote inflammation of the inner lining of blood vessels and contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis, which leads to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Don’t Drink Beer To Lower Cholesterol
It’s possible that one beer a day might improve lipid profile and lower oxidation of LDL in some cases. Drinking three or more beers may adversely affect your lipid profile, heart health, and increase your risk of getting certain diseases, such as some types of cancer, high blood pressure, and stroke.
This trend has also been noted with other types of alcohol. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not drink too much beeror any alcoholic beverage for that matterif you are concerned about your heart health.
The World Health Organization has stated, based on recent studies, that no amount of alcohol intake is safe for health.
The American Heart Association recommends that if you do drink alcohol, males should limit to no more than one to two 12 ounce servings of beer daily, and females should limit to no more than 12 ounces of beer a day. Twelve ounces roughly equals 350 mL of beer.
If you do not typically drink, the American Heart Association cautions that you should not start drinking beeror any other alcoholsolely for the purpose of improving your heart health.
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Is Beer Bad For Cholesterol
What about your choice of beverage? When it comes to alcohol and cholesterol, is beer worse than wine?
Ultimately, its the quantity and frequency of drinking that has the biggest impact on your healthincluding your cholesterol. Beer contains both alcohol and carbohydrates, so too much beer will certainly increase the presence of triglycerides in your body and increase your risk of fatty liver.
A few small studies have suggested that drinking beer in moderation is good for your cholesterol levels8. The barley in beer, like the grapes used to make wine, does contain heart-healthy polyphenols. But more research is needed, and once again youre probably better off eating straight whole grains than drinking beer to reduce your cholesterol.
Red Wine And Blood Sugar Values
According to the research funded by the American Diabetes Association, drinking a glass of red wine can decrease blood glucose levels for up to 24 hours after drinking these types of beverages. Because of this factor, the ADA recommends that you check your blood glucose level prior to taking a drink, during drinking, and up to 24 hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage.
One of the problems with drinking and diabetes is that you may have symptoms that resemble type 2 diabetes when you drink alcohol. This means that you may cause people to think you are acting differently because of taking in alcohol, when the low blood glucose levels are the actual culprit behind your behavior.
Another problem with drinking and diabetes is that certain alcoholic beverages, including those that have added substances such as fruit juice or an alcohol mixture that is high in glucose, can actually raise the blood glucose values.
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Good Cholesterol Vs Bad Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterolone considered positive, and the other negative3:
- Low-density lipoprotein : Often referred to as bad cholesterol, LDL is the type that causes dangerous buildup in the arteries. People who consume large amounts of saturated and trans fats are more likely to have high LDL levels.
- High-density lipoprotein : Considered good cholesterol, HDL protects the body by transporting LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. The liver breaks down this bad cholesterol, and flushes it from the body.
How Does Red Wine Help Protect The Heart
The benefits of red wine come from polyphenols naturally occurring compounds that have antioxidant properties. Polyphenols like resveratrol and procyanidins have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including cardiovascular health.
How exactly do these compounds protect the heart?
Studies suggest that these polyphenols:
- Boost good cholesterol
- Lower bad cholesterol
- Reduce blood clotting
So, wines with high levels of resveratrol and procyanidins are considered the best for your heart.
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Are You Serious About Reducing Cholesterol
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How Beer Affects Cholesterol
Most cholesterol is made in your body, and the rest comes from your diet.
When your doctor talks about your cholesterol, theyre actually talking about two types of cholesterol HDL and LDL along with triglycerides, which are a type of fat. When we refer to total cholesterol, its a combination of HDL and LDL cholesterol plus triglycerides.
While a cold brew may raise your spirits, beer raises triglyceride levels. This is because beer contains carbohydrates and alcohol, two substances that raise triglycerides quickly. And people who are more sensitive to the effects of beer can experience even higher levels of triglycerides.
Since triglycerides are part of the total cholesterol count, this means that if your triglycerides increase, your total cholesterol increases as well. Ideally, your triglyceride level should be below 150 milligrams per deciliter .
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Ros Contains More Resveratrol Than White Wine
The most significant benefits from wine come from antioxidants in the skin of the grape, specifically resveratrol. A beneficial compound for anti-aging, resveratrol protects the brain and reduces risk of heart disease.
Red wines, fermented with the skins, have the highest levels of this beneficial antioxidant. Winemakers strain the skins from white wine immediately and rosé wines early in the production process, causing these wines to have lower levels of resveratrol. Though rosé wines contain more resveratrol than white wines, they contains less than red ones.
Some rosé wines, particularly American ones, might contain a blend of red and white wines, increasing the level of resveratrol!
And there you have it! Enjoy some delicious rosé, and remember, as with all good things, moderation is key. Cheers!
It Can Irritate The Gi Tract
Whether it’s a faucet, a water bottle, or, well, a gut, nothing that can be described as leaky sounds like a really great time. But according to certified nutritionist Bonnie Flemington, drinking alcoholincluding winecan result in leaky gut syndrome and irritate the body’s gastrointestinal tract.
“It does this by creating imbalances in our gut bacteria as well as increasing the permeability of the intestinal lining ,” says Flemington.
She added that these complications can lead to symptoms including joint aches and pains.
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Does The Type Of Alcohol Matter
Ultimately, its the quantity and frequency of drinking that has more of an impact on your cholesterol levels rather than the type of alcohol. Your body reacts to alcohol the same way whether its coming from beer, wine, or hard liquor.
As described above, some research has shown a positive relationship between red wine and HDL cholesterol levels, yet the exact way that wine impacts cholesterol levels needs more research. Thats probably why the American Heart Association currently does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain potential benefits.
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much
While alcohol often gets a bad rap, research is showing that it may not need to be avoided altogether to have good heart health.
The interpretation of too much will vary from person to person. Factors such as age, body size, and liver size all determine how quickly alcohol will be metabolized. Some people can break down alcohol more quickly than others.
The general recommendation is for adults to not participate in anything more than moderate drinking, with less drinking being even better. Moderate drinking is defined as 1 to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.
In the United States, 1 standard drink is considered to be:
-
12 ounces of regular beer
-
5 ounces of wine
-
1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits
Keep in mind that aside from raising cholesterol and triglyceride levels, excessive drinking is also linked to a long list of other health consequences including cancer, heart disease, birth defects, injuries caused by driving under the influence, memory problems, mental health disorders, alcohol poisoning, and more.
If you drink alcohol or have liver damage, talk to your doctor before taking cholesterol medications known as statins. These medications may cause liver problems, and alcohol use may increase the risk of liver issues.
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Whats Considered High Cholesterol
The normal ranges for cholesterol and triglyceride levels for adults 20 years of age and older are as follows:
| Lab | |
|---|---|
| Triglycerides | Lower than 150mg/dL |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 95 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL, and nearly 29 million have levels higher than 240 mg/dL. As you can see, this is an issue in our country, and its not an uncommon one.
The good news? There are many things you can do to control it, such as eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and taking medication.
Myth: Red Wine Reduces Your Risk For Heart Attack
Fact: Red wine and other types of alcohol can immediately increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. This risk, however, decreases over time. As long as youre consuming a moderate amount of alcohol , red wine will likely not harm your heart in the long run.
On the other hand, consuming heavy amounts of alcohol, including red wine, can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Consider reducing the amount of alcohol you drink to give your body a break.
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American Heart Association News Stories
American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Associations official guidance, policies or positions.
Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.
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What Brand Of Pinot Noir Is The Best
10 Best Pinot Noirs to Drink This Fall
- Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir. Domaine Serene.
- Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.
- Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir. $53 AT WINE.COM.
- RAEN Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir.
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How Drinking Beer Affects Cholesterol
Beer is probably the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world. Although beer sometimes garners a bad reputation due to its alcohol content, it also contains a few surprisingly healthy ingredients.
Barley, one such ingredient that is used to make beer, contains polyphenols, which have been linked to lowering cholesterol levels and promoting heart health.
There are also some studies suggesting that, in modest amounts, alcoholic beverages such as beer may also be able to improve heart health. But can drinking beer also lower your cholesterol levels?
The 20 Worst Foods For High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a strange thing: too much, and youre in a trouble, too little, and youre in just as much. With too little, our bodies cant function normally. With too much, we increase our risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and a litany of other unmentionables. While low cholesterol isnt a concern for the vast majority of us, high cholesterol is. While the condition can sometimes be inherited , most of the time its down to lifestyle choices. Even if you exercise enough to look trim and healthy, you could still be in for a world of trouble if youre regularly filling your belly with less than optimal foods.
The real kick in the teeth is that high cholesterol is symptomless: unless you take a blood test to detect your levels, the first time most people realize they have the condition is when they fall ill as a result of it. Of course, regular testing is a great way of working out exactly whats going on in your body , but prevention is always better than cure.
Fortunately, a few tweaks to your lifestyle can slash your risk of developing the disease, keeping you trouble-free and healthy into a ripe old age. The first thing to understand is what factors increase the risk of bad cholesterol .
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