Light to moderate alcohol intake protects heart by curbing stress signalling in the brain
USA: A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has shed light on why light to moderate alcohol consumption may be tied to a lowered risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease).
The study revealed that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lowered risk of MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) partly mediated by reduced stress signalling in the brain. The most pronounced benefit of light to moderate drinking concerning MACE was seen among people with a history of anxiety, a condition associated with higher stress signalling in the brain.
The researchers reported, "that an increased cancer risk counterbalanced the apparent CVD benefits of light to moderate drinking." They showed that light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with more significant decreases in MACE risk among people with a history of anxiety (HR, 0.60 versus HR, 1.78).
Chronic stress is linked with MACE via increased stress-related neural network activity (SNA). Light/moderate alcohol consumption (ACl/m) is reported to be associated with lower MACE risk, but there is no clarity on the mechanism behind it. To clarify the same, Kenechukwu Mezue, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, and colleagues aimed to evaluate whether the association between ACl/m and MACE is mediated by decreased SNA.
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