|
Alcohol
Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown
to provide some protection against heart attacks, but it also has downsides
that people with heart disease need to consider.
-
Alcohol promotes fat storage, especially
when combined with a large, high fat meal. If weight control is a
challenge, you may want to rethink that drink at the end of your day.
Keeping alcohol consumption down is a critical practice for good weight
control.
-
Alcohol intake increases VLDL production in
the liver. This molecule carries triglycerides (fat) in the blood. It is
later converted to an LDL molecule, so the more VLDLs you produce the more
circulating fat and LDL molecules your body will have to process. Both LDL
("bad" cholesterol) and VLDL molecules are linked to high blood
cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
-
Alcohol raises blood pressure. Again, if
high blood pressure is a condition you need to manage, alcohol consumption
will compromise your efforts.
So think before you drink!
Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Try having a large glass of water
between drinks; it fills you up and slows down the amount of alcohol you
consume. Remember, moderation is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per
day for men. Below is a table which defines 1 drink.
|
Alcoholic
Beverages
|
|
Beverage
|
Amount
(ounces)
|
Calories
|
|
Beer and Wine
|
|
Regular
Beer/Ale
|
12
|
140-150
|
|
Beer Cooler
|
12
|
101
|
|
Light Beer
|
12
|
100
|
|
Near Beer
|
12
|
32
|
|
Wine, dry
table
|
3.5
|
87
|
|
Wine, red
table
|
3.5
|
74
|
|
Wine, rose
table
|
3.5
|
73
|
|
Wine, white
table
|
3.5
|
70
|
|
Wine Spritzer
|
5.0
|
61
|
|
Wine,
nonalcoholic
|
3.5
|
7
|
|
Distilled
Spirits
|
|
Gin, rum,
vodka, whiskey
|
|
80 proof
|
1.5
|
97
|
|
86 proof
|
1.5
|
105
|
|
90 proof
|
1.5
|
110
|
|
100 proof
|
1.5
|
124
|
|
Cordials &
Liqueurs
|
1.0
|
100
|
|
Brandy &
Cognac
|
1.0
|
65
|
|
Cocktails
|
|
Bloody Mary
|
5.0
|
116
|
|
Daiquiri
|
2.2
|
113
|
|
Frozen
Daiquiri
|
8.0
|
298
|
|
Bourbon & Soda
|
8.0
|
105
|
|
Gin & Tonic
|
7.5
|
171
|
|
Manhattan
|
2.0
|
129
|
|
Margarita
|
2.7
|
168
|
|
Pina Colada
|
4.7
|
231
|
|
Screwdriver
|
7.0
|
174
|
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How to Have a Healthy
Heart
Take this preliminary
to see if your cardiovascular system condition could respond to nutritional
therapy.
|
