Two pegs for healthy heart

Patterns of alcohol consumption may be more important in determining alcohol's influence on heart health than the total amount consumed, according to a new study.

Scientists have found that daily moderate drinking - the equivalent of two drinks per day - decreased atherosclerosis in mice, while binge drinking - the equivalent of seven drinks a day, two days a week - increased development of the disease.

Atherosclerosis, or the hardening and narrowing of arteries, is a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

"People need to consider not only how much alcohol they drink, but the way in which they are drinking it," said lead study author John Cullen, Ph.D., research associate professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

"Research shows that people have yet to be convinced of the dangers of binge drinking to their health; we're hoping our work changes that," he added.