Want Heart Benefits from Moderate Drinking? Quit Smoking

A number of studies have found that light or moderate drinking may promote coronary health, but any such benefits are wiped out by smoking, HealthDay News reported April 13.

Researcher Yangmei Li of the Institute of Public Health at the University of Cambridge, England, and colleagues tracked the drinking and smoking histories of more than 22,500 U.K. residents. They found that light-to-moderate drinking protected against stroke among non-smokers, but not among smokers.

“Smoking may modify [the] relationship between alcohol and stroke risk,” the authors concluded.

The study also agreed with previous research finding that heavy drinking does not protect against stroke and may well increase the risk of stroke.

Li presented her findings at the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.