Moderate, habitual alcohol intake was associated with increased heart rate variability compared to nonhabitual drinking in a study of 47 young adult volunteers.
Observational (n=47)
Does moderate, habitual alcohol drinking increase heart rate variability in young adults?
Moderate habitual alcohol consumption is associated with increased heart rate variability in young adults, suggesting a potential physiological mechanism for the protective cardiovascular effects of moderate drinking.
Epidemiological literature indicates that the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes reflects a J-shaped curve such that moderate alcohol consumption confers a protective effect in comparison to abstinence, while heavy consumption is associated with poorer health. While heart rate variability (HRV) may underpin the relationship between drinking and poor health in heavy drinkers, it is unclear whether HRV is increased in moderate, habitual drinkers relative to nonhabitual drinkers. HRV and drinking habits were assessed in 47 volunteers. Results supported hypotheses suggesting that moderate, habitual drinking increases HRV. Although not supported by a significant interaction between drinking group and sex, planned follow-up analysis also revealed that these findings may be specific to males. Regardless, results highlight HRV as a candidate mechanism for the findings reported in the epidemiological literature.
Quintana et al. (2013) conducted an observational in Healthy young adults (n=47). Moderate, habitual alcohol intake vs. Nonhabitual drinking was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV). Moderate, habitual alcohol intake was associated with increased heart rate variability compared to nonhabitual drinking in a study of 47 young adult volunteers.