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Reduced plasma homocysteine in obese red wine consumers: a potential contributor to reduced cardiovascular risk status

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 608–614 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with improved vascular risk profile and decreased mortality in the middle aged. An elevated homocysteine concentration is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and homocysteine concentrations in severely obese patients (body mass index (BMI)>35).

Design: A careful alcohol history was obtained from 350 (male:female 1:5) consecutive patients as part of preoperative assessment for surgical treatment of obesity. Data were obtained concerning amount, frequency, timing and type of alcohol consumption. Fasting homocysteine, serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured. Differences between groups were assessed using Student t-test, and ANOVA. Linear regression was used to assess factors influencing homocysteine concentration.

Results: There is a U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and homocysteine concentrations, with light to moderate consumption being associated with lower concentrations. Those consuming <100 g/week (n=165) of alcohol had geometric mean (95% CI of mean) serum homocysteine concentrations of 8.5 (8.2–8.9) μmol/l compared with 9.5 (9.1–9.9) μmol/l for non or rare consumers (n=153; P=0.001). The lower concentrations of homocysteine in regular consumers were associated with higher folate concentrations of 9.4 (8.6–10.2) ng/ml when compared with non-consumers 7.5 (7.1–7.8) ng/ml (P=0.001). Red wine consumers (n=42) had lower fasting concentrations of homocysteine 7.8 (7.5–8.1) μmol/l compared with 153 non-consumers 9.4 (9.0–9.8) μmol/l (P<0.001), 82 beer and spirit consumers 9.0 (8.4–9.7) μmol/l (P=0.005) and 73 white wine consumers 8.8 (8.2–9.4) μmol/l (P=0.013). Red wine consumption was an independent predictor for lower homocysteine concentrations.

Conclusion: Mild to moderate alcohol consumption, especially red wine consumption, in obese subjects is associated with lower fasting homocysteine concentrations. This may reduce cardiovascular risk and help explain the ‘French paradox’.

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  1. ME Dixon: Guarantor: JB Dixon.

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  1. Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    JB Dixon, ME Dixon & PE O'Brien

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Correspondence to JB Dixon.

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Dixon, J., Dixon, M. & O'Brien, P. Reduced plasma homocysteine in obese red wine consumers: a potential contributor to reduced cardiovascular risk status. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 608–614 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601365

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