Population and cohort studies, primarily of men, suggest 1-2 drinks of alcohol containing beverages/day are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Excessive intakes are associated with increased all-cause mortality.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

The ADA Disorders of Lipid Metabolism workgroup concurs with the following statement and grade from the USDA Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL):

Insufficient evidence was available to determine if drinking patterns were predictive of risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), although there was moderate evidence to suggest that heavy or binge drinking is detrimental.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

• Detail
• Worksheets
  • Bagnardi, V., Zatonski, W., Scotti, L., La Veccha, C., & Corrao G. (2008). Does drinking pattern modify the effect of alcohol on the risk of coronary heart disease?: Evidence from a meta-analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62, 615-619.
  • Britton A, McKee M. The relation between alcohol and cardiovascular disease in
    Eastern Europe: explaining the paradox. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000
    May;54(5):328-32. Review.
  • Cleophas TJ. Wine, beer and spirits and the risk of myocardial infarction: a systematic review. Biomed  Pharmacother. 1999;53(9):417-23.
  • Corrao, G., Rubbiati, L., Bagnardi, V., Zambon, A. & Poikolainen, K. (2000). Alcohol and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Addiction, 95, 1505-1523.
  • Di Castelnuovo A, Rotondo S, Iacoviello L, Donati MB, De Gaetano G. Meta-analysis of wine and beer consumption in relation to vascular risk. Circulation. 2002 Jun 18;105(24):2836-44.
  • Rimm EB, Williams P, Fosher K, Criqui M, Stampher MJ. Moderate alcohol intake and lower risk of coronary heart disease: meta-analysis of effects on lipids and haemostatic factors. BMJ 1999; 319: 1523-1528.

The ADA Disorders of Lipid Metabolism workgroup concurs with the following statement and grade from the USDA Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL):

Strong evidence consistently demonstrates that compared to non-drinkers, individuals who drink moderately have lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

• Detail
• Worksheets
  • Bagnardi, V., Zatonski, W., Scotti, L., La Veccha, C., & Corrao G. (2008). Does drinking pattern modify the effect of alcohol on the risk of coronary heart disease?: Evidence from a meta-analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62, 615-619.
  • Britton A, McKee M. The relation between alcohol and cardiovascular disease in
    Eastern Europe: explaining the paradox. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000
    May;54(5):328-32. Review.
  • Cleophas TJ. Wine, beer and spirits and the risk of myocardial infarction: a systematic review. Biomed  Pharmacother. 1999;53(9):417-23.
  • Corrao, G., Rubbiati, L., Bagnardi, V., Zambon, A. & Poikolainen, K. (2000). Alcohol and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Addiction, 95, 1505-1523.
  • Di Castelnuovo A, Rotondo S, Iacoviello L, Donati MB, De Gaetano G. Meta-analysis of wine and beer consumption in relation to vascular risk. Circulation. 2002 Jun 18;105(24):2836-44.
  • Rimm EB, Williams P, Fosher K, Criqui M, Stampher MJ. Moderate alcohol intake and lower risk of coronary heart disease: meta-analysis of effects on lipids and haemostatic factors. BMJ 1999; 319: 1523-1528.