Moderate drinking may reduce heart failure risk

People who enjoy a small amount of alcohol have a lower risk of suffering heart failure than teetotallers, a new study has found.

Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of heart failure, scientists have claimed

A report in the European Heart Journal found that moderate drinkers have a lower risk of heart failure than both heavy drinkers and those who do not drink at all.

The study followed a group of 14,629 people over a time period of 24 years, beginning at an average age of 54.

During the study, 2,508 cases of heart failure were reported with controls in place for variables such as age, race and smokers.

By comparison, men who drank up to one drink per day reduced their risk of heart failure by 20%, and woman by 16%.

Professor of medicine at Harvard and the study’s senior author, Dr Scott D Solomon, emphasised that the results should not be interpreted as a reason to begin drinking or increase the amount consumed per day.

He told The New York Times: “People who drink a little bit, up to moderately, may derive some protective benefit, especially men.

“Once you get above one drink a day for women or two for men, your risk of other types of problems goes up.”