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How alcohol is tied to better heart health: A new study on stress and health
30.09.2023 17:20
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:23
You've probably heard that a bit of alcohol can help you improve your hearth health, but why?
A recent study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital explored the link between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and its effect on heart disease risk.
While alcohol also has lots of negative effects, it can actually help your health health.
More about the experiment
The study initially examined the relationship between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and cardiovascular events while considering various factors like genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status.
The specialists discovered that even after accounting for these factors, this level of alcohol intake was linked to a significant decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
They discovered reduced stress signals in the amygdala, a brain region linked to stress responses, in those who were light to moderate drinkers compared to non-drinkers or infrequent drinkers.
Importantly, those who drank lightly to moderately also experienced fewer heart attacks and strokes, suggesting that changes in the brain contributed significantly to the heart's protection.
Why it's important
The study's conclusion is that the experiment should focus on finding alternative interventions to reduce stress activity in the brain without the harmful effects of alcohol.
Current investigations are looking into the impact of exercise, stress-reduction techniques like meditation, and medications on stress-related neural networks and their potential cardiovascular benefits.
