Drinking a large number of alcoholic beverages in a single sitting can contribute to the development of clogged arteries, new research suggests.
According to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, patterns of drinking may have more impact on a persons arterial health than the total amount consumed.
In the terms of the study, binge drinking was defined as five or more drinks for male participants and four or more drinks for women during a period of two hours.
The research found that the bodys levels of acetaldehyde which is produced from the ethanol in alcohol increased significantly after heavy drinking.
In turn, the acetaldehyde boosted the number of monocytes that stuck to blood vessel walls and resulted in inflammation.
“Factors like binge drinking have been linked to increased risk for heart disease and the new inflammatory model is beginning to explain how,” commented study leader John Cullen.
The findings, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, add to the health resources available addressing the risks of alcohol abuse.
However, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that up to two drinks per day does not cause irregular heartbeat in women.