Cholesterol is both produced in the liver and obtained from food. Although alcohol does not contain it, what and how much we drink can affect the body’s lipid metabolism.
Importance of blood lipid levels for health
The concentration of total cholesterol in the blood consists of, among other things. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), called „good” cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), called „bad” cholesterol. The latter, if present in excess, accumulate inside the arteries and form what is known as atherosclerotic plaque. Over time, it can restrict or completely block blood flow to other parts of the body. Another form of lipids in the blood is triglycerides. As with LDL cholesterol, high levels of these can be harmful to health.
Alcohol and cholesterol
Do and how do percentage drinks affect the body’s lipid metabolism? We drink alcohol and cholesterol goes up or down? The answer to this question is not clear. Let’s start with beer. Although it’s low in alcohol and doesn’t provide cholesterol by itself, it contains carbohydrates that can increase potentially harmful triglycerides in the blood1. Wine, which has the best reputation of all alcoholic beverages, should also be approached with caution. It contains healthy plant sterols, but the alleged positive effects of this type of alcohol on the heart have not been confirmed. Further research is needed to confirm this link. Strong alcohol, such as vodka, rum and whiskey, also does not contain cholesterol. However, some varieties of it, as well as drinks and ready drinks, have added sugar, which can affect lipid levels in the body. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also risks vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Also important is the amount of
As important to health as the type of alcohol is the amount and frequency of consumption. The US National Institute of Health cites drinking no more than two standard doses of alcohol per day for men and one for women as carrying a low risk. This means less than a glass of beer, 100 grams of wine or 25 grams of vodka. People struggling with excessively high blood cholesterol levels should further limit their alcohol intake or even give it up altogether. Since most cholesterol comes from eggs, offal and cured meats and milk fat, it’s a good idea to control how much of these products you eat on a daily basis. Regular exercise also helps improve cholesterol levels.
Drinking alcohol increases blood lipid levels, and individual recommendations on how much is safe depend on a number of factors. Therefore, it is best to consult your doctor to find out if and how much we can consume.
1 „There is some evidence that high intakes (> 20 E%) of sugars may increase serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol concentrations, and that > 20 to 25 E% might adversely affect glucose and insulin response,” https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2017_09_DRVs_summary_report.pdf