The Institute of Alcohol Studies recently released a new addition to its “Explain” series, titled “Alcohol and the Heart: Explained”. This series aims to unpack the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and various societal and health issues. The institute, known for its rigorous approach to gathering and analyzing data, seeks to illuminate the intricate ways in which alcohol affects society, drawing from a wealth of international evidence, policy, and practice. The latest video delves into the significant impact of alcohol on cardiovascular health, a timely issue given cardiovascular disease’s status as the leading cause of death worldwide.

Despite long-standing beliefs propagated in the media and supported by the alcohol industry that certain types of alcohol, like red wine, may benefit the heart, recent research tells a different story. The video explores how alcohol consumption contributes to cardiovascular disease, challenging the myth of its health benefits. It draws attention to the World Heart Federation’s stance, which, based on improved study designs and extensive research over the past decade, asserts that alcohol does not, in fact, support heart health. The video promises to offer insights into the specific cardiovascular problems linked to alcohol, the reasons behind the misleading conclusions of some observational studies, and the alcohol industry’s efforts to influence heart-related research. This installment not only adds to the “Explain” series’ reputation for tackling critical issues like alcohol pricing, marketing, and industry influence but also underscores the Institute of Alcohol Studies’ commitment to informed public discourse based on solid evidence.

Find more from IAS (UK, April 2024)