Alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease risk: Cheers, tears, or both?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of shorter life expectancy and loss of quality of life worldwide. Thus, any influence of diet or life habits on the cardiovascular system may have important implications for public health. Epidemiological studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Moreover, high alcohol intake implies an increased risk for numerous health outcomes. To fully understand the relation between light-to-moderate drinking and CVD, the role of drinking patterns, beverage types, and genetic variations influencing alcohol metabolism should be further examined. The aim of this review article is to present current knowledge with respect to the effect of alcohol intake on CVD risk.