Cardioprotective effect of alcohol consumption: contemporary concepts

Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in Western civilization. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical investigations have shown that diets supplemented with moderate quantities of alcoholic beverages lead to biochemical changes, that are widely regarded to prevent atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL-C particles are able to penetrate arterial walls and cause atherosclerotic occlusions of the arteries. The cardioprotective effect of alcoholic beverages is related to their biologically active antioxidant compounds, ethanol and phenolics, which are able to prevent oxidation of LDL-C. Among alcoholic beverages red wine appears to be the best choice. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.