Alcohol Consumption and the Diet-Heart Controversy

The effectiveness of dietary changes as a means of reducing blood lipid levels and ultimately controlling the development of coronary heart disease has been debated for many years. The possible effects of alcohol consumption on blood lipids were usually not considered. Our findings indicate a significant positive correlation between the extent of coronary artery occlusion and total plasma cholesterol levels and a negative association between the coronary occlusion and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Since moderate alcohol consumption increases the HDL cholesterol levels, one can also postulate that it affects coronary artery lesions. The attenuating effect of alcohol on the coronary occlusion was negated by sporadic drinking of large amounts of alcohol. In evaluating the possible effect of alcohol on coronary artery disease, it is also necessary to consider its addictive potential as well as other untoward sequelae of alcohol consumption such as hypertension, damage to the myocardium, and increased prevalence of malignancies.