Romina di Giuseppe, lead author of the study, from the Research Laboratories at Catholic University of Campobasso, said, “Several studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, is associated with protection against coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke; Although the mechanisms are not completely defined, there was some evidence that alcohol intake might influence the metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, as omega-3.
“That is exactly what we found in our population study. People drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, one drink a day for women and two for men, had higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in plasmadefine and red blood cells independently of their fish intake."
IMMIDIET (Dietary Habit Profile in European Communities with Different Risk of Myocardial Infarctiondefine: the Impact of Migration as a Model of Gene-Environment Interaction) project examined 1604 subjects (802 women-men pairs), aged 26–65 years, from Italy, Belgium, and England. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake.
It was found that alcohol intake was positively associated with plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and EPA + DHA concentrations. In men, only plasma and red blood cell EPA concentrations were associated with alcohol intake. It was also found that in both wine drinkers and beer or spirit drinkers, there is an association between alcohol and omega-3 fatty acids.
Michel de Lorgeril, from the University of Grenoble, partner of the IMMIDIET project, co-leader of the study said, “We consider these data to be a major finding.”He argued, "Opening a new window in the field of cardiovascular prevention. Beyond the alcohol issue, our results raise crucial questions regarding the effects of polyphenols on lipids (both in blood and cell membranes) and possibly of lipids on polyphenols."
Post new comment