Drinking alcohol is often associated with health risks, including high blood pressure, liver disease, and increased cancer risk. However, a new Harvard-led study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have a surprising benefit for cholesterol levels.
The study followed nearly 58,000 adults in Japan for up to a year, analyzing changes in their cholesterol based on drinking habits. People who started drinking during the study saw a drop in LDL cholesterol and a rise in HDL cholesterol. Notably, the HDL increase exceeded improvements typically seen with medications. Conversely, those who quit drinking experienced the opposite effect—higher LDL and lower HDL levels.
The effect scaled with alcohol intake. For example:
- People who went from no alcohol to 1.5 drinks per day saw LDL drop by 0.85 mg/dL and HDL rise by 0.58 mg/dL.
- Drinking more (3+ drinks per day) led to LDL dropping by 7.44 mg/dL and HDL rising by 6.12 mg/dL.
- Quitting alcohol had the reverse effect, increasing LDL and decreasing HDL.
While these findings align with previous research suggesting moderate drinking reduces heart attack and stroke risk, the study does not recommend starting drinking for health benefits. Increased alcohol consumption raises the risk of several cancers and other health concerns. Researchers emphasize that moderation is key, and those who quit drinking should monitor their cholesterol levels.
