Consuming alcohol increases cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and cancer.
Quitting alcohol can help lower cholesterol levels and improve overall health. Excessive amounts of alcohol can negatively impact cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Cutting back on alcohol can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. A study found that a 38% decrease in mean total HDL-cholesterol levels was observed after withdrawal therapy in alcoholic men.
However, moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with lower rates of heart disease and longer life expectancy.
It is important to note that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may not outweigh the risks for everyone, especially those with high cholesterol or other health conditions.
How Does Alcohol Affect Cholesterol?
Factors such as your drinking habits and family history can influence how much alcohol affects your cholesterol. In general, exceeding recommended amounts of booze may raise levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and raise your risk for heart disease or stroke.
However, in moderation you can enjoy wine, beer and liquor. Red wine in particular has been linked to lower cholesterol and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, the quantity and frequency of your drinking can have more of an effect on your cholesterol levels than the type of alcohol consumed. Thus, it’s essential that you practice moderation when drinking and don’t exceed recommended daily amounts.
Your liver plays an integral role in the metabolism of alcohol, so excessive drinking can lead to high cholesterol and triglycerides levels. A build-up of triglycerides may even result in fatty liver disease by impairing its ability to remove bad cholesterol from circulation.
What Are the Risks of High Cholesterol?
When it comes to heart health, two of the most critical variables are blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Fortunately, both can be improved through diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance necessary for your body’s production of hormones, vitamin D and other essential compounds. Unfortunately, too much cholesterol can lead to health issues like an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking medications to lower cholesterol are all beneficial. So it’s essential to start making some lifestyle adjustments now, such as decreasing saturated and trans fat intake.
Eat foods high in fiber and heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit red meat consumption and full-fat dairy products to a minimum, and aim for a low sodium diet overall.
What Are the Benefits of Quitting Alcohol?
Moderate alcohol consumption has some heart-health advantages, but cutting back or even stopping altogether can provide numerous additional health advantages.
When you consume alcohol, much of the ethanol is broken down by your liver into cholesterol and triglycerides – waxy fats that can be detrimental to your cardiovascular health.
Over time, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can damage your liver’s ability to make and eliminate cholesterol and other essential compounds. As such, heavy alcohol consumption may put you at greater risk for developing liver diseases like cirrhosis or fatty liver syndrome.
The great news is that when you stop drinking, not only will your skin appear younger but your hair too – thicker and fuller – as well as improved sleep quality.
How Long Does It Take To Return to Normal After Quitting?
Quitting alcohol can be a challenging endeavor, particularly if you have been using it as a way to relax and unwind. For some people, assistance from a therapist or support group makes quitting easier, while others require medical supervision in order to withdraw safely and comfortably.
When trying to abstain from drinking or just reduce consumption, setting realistic goals and staying committed can help keep you focused on the task at hand. Doing this will prevent temptations or cravings from taking over your new lifestyle and may prevent temptations from leading you astray.
Before you begin, ask yourself why you want to stop drinking. Could it be because you aspire to be a better person or are concerned for your health. Or perhaps it has something to do with wanting to make changes in your relationships or career.
What Are Some Foods That Can Help Lower Cholesterol?
There are several foods that can help lower cholesterol levels. These include high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fatty fish, unprocessed plant-based foods, and soy products.
Foods that are high in soluble fiber such as oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and pears can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds have also been shown to increase HDL and lower LDL and triglycerides if eaten regularly.
Plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol, are found in margarine enriched with plant sterols, oats, barley, psyllium, okra, eggplant, and soy protein.
A largely vegetarian “dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods” that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein mostly from plants can substantially lower LDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
