Study finds drinking alcohol may improve cholesterol levels

A new study from Japan has found that reducing alcohol intake may lead to higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and lower levels of good cholesterol (HDL-C). This challenges previous beliefs about the effects of alcohol on health. The study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, analyzed health data from over 57,000 adults in Tokyo from 2012 to 2022. Researchers noted that participants who stopped drinking saw an increase in LDL-C and a decrease in HDL-C compared to those who continued drinking. Participants who drank up to 1.5 drinks per day experienced a slight reduction in LDL-C and an increase in HDL-C. Those who drank between 1.5 and 3 drinks had more significant improvements. Heavy drinkers, consuming more than 3 drinks daily, saw the largest positive changes in their cholesterol levels. In contrast, when participants quit drinking, even those who previously had moderate consumption saw negative shifts in their cholesterol levels. The study pointed out that those who stopped drinking had rising LDL-C and dropping HDL-C levels. However, the study has limitations. It relied on self-reported data, which can be inaccurate. Also, the findings may not apply to people from different cultural backgrounds. Experts caution that some heavy drinkers who quit might have skewed the results. Furthermore, there is ongoing debate about the health benefits of moderate drinking. The World Health Organization emphasizes that no safe level of alcohol consumption has been established. The key takeaway is that while public health advice should advocate for moderation in drinking, those who stop drinking should monitor their cholesterol levels closely to avoid cardiovascular risks.