Last Updated on October 13, 2015 by Morris Green

Did you feel the chill in the air this morning? It’s a reminder that autumn is right around the corner, and with the fall months comes the start of some of our most celebrated holidays from Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Chances are you’ll be raising your glass of wine or champagne to toast over the holiday table, and according to a study, you might be doing your heart a favor.

Moderate alcohol consumption can aid in the prevention of heart disease by blocking the signals of molecules linked to plaque buildup in the arteries. But the biggest misconception of this study’s findings is moderation.

Alcohol Consumption Causes Heart Damage in the Elderly

How would you define the term “moderate alcohol consumption?” Some could say it means one to two drinks per week while others would say one to two per day. How we view moderation is crucial to whether the aforementioned study proves true.

According to Live Science, researchers have searched for the relationship between alcohol consumption and the heart. They looked at this relationship in 4,500 people whose average age was 76. And they found that the more alcohol consumed by the study’s participants, the more pronounced the changes in the heart’s structure and function.

Men averaging age 76 who consumed over 14 drinks each week presented an increased risk of an enlargement of the wall of the heart’s main pumping chamber. Researchers also discovered that in women, drinking just one drink per day was linked to small decreases in the heart’s functionality that, over time, add up.

Defining Moderate Alcohol Consumption

The study demonstrates the difference in moderation between men and women. If, as a man, you define “moderate alcohol consumption” as one drink per day, you will fall below the 14 drinks per week that benchmark a negative impact on the heart. If, as a woman, you define “moderate alcohol consumption” as one drink per day, you will meet the benchmark for a negative impact on the heart.

Moderate alcohol consumption means a different number for different genders, and it’s not just gender that affects these numbers. For example, people with chronic illnesses who consume moderate amounts of alcohol are at a higher risk of developing heart and liver issues due to their illness affecting how their body reacts to alcohol.

Developing Moderate Alcohol Consumption Habits

Currently, the American Heart Association recommends that women limit their alcohol consumption to a single drink each day while men limit themselves to two drinks per day. Developing moderate alcohol consumption habits, however, involves more than merely sticking to a maximum number of drinks each day. It starts with changing how we look at alcohol.

While alcohol can have positive effects, the majority of its effects over a long period are negative. Limiting drinking habits to a drink only for special occasions just might be the best policy in the long run versus upholding a set of daily or weekly drinking maximums. Now is the time to learn the truths about alcohol and heart health.