Drinking a little alcohol is good for heart health. Exercise is good for heart health. Doing both is even healthier, say researchers from Denmark.
In this study, information on the drinking and exercise habits of nearly 12,000 men and women aged 20 years or older between 1981 and 1983. Over the next 20 years, about 1,200 of the participants died from heart disease and about 5,900 died from other causes.
Not drinking or exercise was linked to a 30 to 49 percent greater risk of heart disease than people who do one or both of the activities.
Non-drinkers had a 30 percent to 31 percent higher risk of heart disease compared to moderate drinkers, no matter the amount of physical activity they undertook.
Moderate alcohol intake was defined as between 1 to 14 drinks each week. One drink equals 4-5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5 ounce shot of hard liquor.
Previous studies have associated light to moderate drinking with a lower death rates.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended for all individuals. Please consult your dietitian before changing your alcohol intake out of concern for your risk of heart disease. Leslie Beck's new book, Foods that Fight Disease, also has strategies for preventing heart disease.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.