Alcohol and the heart: is there a safe dose?

🍷The French drink, and they don't care? They say a glass of wine only improves heart function... But what does science really say? Let's figure it out: is there really a safe dose of alcohol for the heart - or is it just another myth?

📌 There is no safe dose of alcohol.

Scientists analyzed data from almost 600,000 people (The Lancet, 2018) and made a clear conclusion: even “moderate” alcohol consumption increases the risk of stroke, hypertension and heart failure. The more a person drinks, the higher the risk.

📌 Alcohol increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.

A study of 100,092 participants (European Heart Journal, 2021) proved that even 1 alcoholic drink per day increases the likelihood of developing arrhythmias. This means that a glass of wine can cause heart rhythm disturbances and increase the risk of stroke.

📌 The “benefits” of red wine are exaggerated.

A study by the American Heart Association showed that the antioxidants in wine can be obtained without harm to blood vessels – from berries, nuts, dark chocolate. But the harm of alcohol to the heart has been proven by dozens of scientific papers.

📌 The French paradox is not about alcohol.

The French do suffer less from cardiovascular diseases, but the point is not in wine, but in the Mediterranean diet, active lifestyle and consumption of large amounts of vegetables, fish and healthy fats.

📌 Alcohol and blood pressure: the boomerang effect.

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2022) proved that alcohol initially dilates blood vessels, but then causes them to narrow sharply, which can cause pressure surges, arrhythmias and strain on the heart.

 

✅Myths about the “benefits” of alcohol are just an attempt to justify a habit that can actually harm your heart. Studies say it clearly: even “small” doses have consequences that we may not notice right away. But the good news is that your heart doesn’t need wine or cognac – it needs care, exercise, and a healthy diet. Take care of it, and it will thank you with years of energy and well-being.

🏥You can learn more about the work of your own heart by consulting with our cardiologists!

Self-medication can be harmful to your health.