6 ways alcohol may protect your heart

This Week's Tip 6 ways alcohol may protect your heart In several studies, moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for certain cardiovascular diseases. This latest meta-analysis of numerous studies on alcohol and heart-health was published in a 2011 issue of the British Medical Journal. It suggested that moderate alcohol consumption (defined below) helps to protect against heart disease by: Raising HDL "good" cholesterol Increasing apolipoprotein A1, a protein that has a specific role in lipid (fat) metabolism and is a major component of HDL "good" cholesterol Decreasing fibrinogen, a soluble plasma glycoprotein that is a part of blood clot formation Lowering blood pressure Reducing plaque accumulation in the arteries Decreasing the clumping of platelets and the formation of blood clots However, these studies did not show any relationship between moderate alcohol intake and total cholesterol level or LDL "bad" cholesterol. And while some studies associated alcohol intake to increased triglycerides, the most recent analysis of moderate alcohol intake in healthy adults showed no such relationship. The Latest Guidelines on Alcohol » More Tips for Heart Health » Heart Friendly Recipe Mini Apple Tarts Instead of a whole pie, try making bite-size tarts. The diminutive desserts cook quicker and are automatically portion controlled. Plus, they're easier to make for a crowd, and there's no need for a fork and plate. Get the Recipe See More Healthy Heart Recipes » Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 12  Amount Per Serving  Calories: 124.3 Total Fat: 4.0 g Cholesterol: 5.2 mg Sodium: 59.1 mg Total Carbs: 24.9 g   Dietary Fiber: 1.6 g Protein: 0.5 g View full nutritional breakdown of Mini Apple Tarts by ingredient Join the movement by clicking the link below to earn your SparkPoints, or connecting with SparkPeople in one of these other ways: UNSUBSCRIBE © 2017 SparkPeople, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms | Privacy | Manage Emails