1. Mission:
Publication 59a
To promote healthier lives through research and
education in nutrition and preventive medicine.
The Pennington Center has several research
areas, including:
Pennington Nutrition Series No 59A, 2009
Clinical Obesity Research
Authors
Experimental Obesity
Functional Foods Beth Kalicki Alcohol
Health and Performance Enhancement Heli J. Roy, PhD, RD
Nutrition and Chronic Diseases And
Division of Education
Nutrition and the Brain
Phillip Brantley, PhD, Director
Your Heart
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and healthy aging
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Diet, exercise, weight loss and weight loss
Claude Bouchard, PhD, Executive Director
maintenance
10/09
The research fostered in these areas can have
a profound impact on healthy living and on the
prevention of common chronic diseases, such
as heart disease, cancer, diabetes,
hypertension and osteoporosis.
The Division of Education provides education
and information to the scientific community and Pennington Biomedical Research Center
the public about research findings, training
programs and research areas, and coordinates 6400 Perkins Road
educational events for the public on various Baton Rouge, LA 70808
health issues.
225-763-2500
We invite people of all ages and backgrounds
to participate in the exciting research studies Pennington Biomedical
Research Center
being conducted at the
Pennington Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Promoting Healthier Lives
Through Research and
If you would like to take part, visit the clinical Education in Nutrition and
trials web page at www.pbrc.edu or call (225) Preventive Medicine
Visit Our Website at:
763-3000. Tel: 225-763-3000
www.pbrc.edu

2. Women metabolize alcohol differently than becoming alcoholics are those who tolerate
men. One alcoholic beverage for a woman alcohol well.
has the same effect as 2 alcoholic beverages
Alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects
One alcoholic drink is defined as: 12 ounces for a man.
and even a moderate intake can lead to serious
of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of The older that you are, the less efficiently your side in effects in certain individuals. People should
spirits. body will metabolize alcohol. not consume alcohol if you have the following:
Having 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per days is Large consumption of alcohol raises 1. Those with a personal or strong family
associated with a decrease in heart attack history of alcoholism
triglyceride levels and leads to high blood
risk. pressure, heart failure, and increased caloric 2. People with uncontrolled high blood
intake. pressure.
Moderate consumption of alcohol leads to a
lower rate of obesity. Excessive alcohol intake is linked to the 3. People with high blood triglyceride levels.
Men who drank two drinks per day were 50% weakening of heart muscle, hemorrhagic 4. People who have pancreatitis.
less likely to die of any cause over a period of stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, trau-
5. People who have liver disease.
10 years, when compared to those who drank ma, certain cancers, suicide, and
homicide. It may also lead to high blood 6. People who have porphyria.
alcohol once per week or less.
pressure. 7. People who have heart failure.
Women who drank alcohol about 1 to 6 drinks
Drinking more than three drinks per day has a 8. People who are pregnant.
per week or less were 28% less likely to die of
any cause than those who drank alcohol less direct toxic effect on the heart. 9. People who are currently taking
frequently. medications that can have adverse
Binge drinking places you at risk for
reactions with alcohol.
The best known effect of alcohol is a small obtaining an abnormal heart rhythm called
atrial fibrillation. Do not mix alcohol and medications, either over
increase in HDL cholesterol; however, regular
the counter or prescription. Alcohol is a depressant
physical activity is another way to raise HDL Alcohol contributes to hepatitis, cirrhosis,
that slows down brain activity and reduces
levels. malnutrition, pancreatitis, stomach ulcers,
inhibitions. Some medications cause you to
Alcohol may protect against heart attacks by fetal alcohol syndrome, and heart disease.
become sleepy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Drinking
inhibiting the constriction of the coronary Long term alcohol abuse destroys the alcohol while taking medicines can intensify these
arteries, limiting clot formation, and decreas- cerebellum of the brain, causing irreversible effects. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of
ing levels of homocysteine; which is an amino brain damage, impaired function, unsteady some medications, and it can combine with other
acid commonly linked to an increase in heart walk, and slurred speech. medications to cause or increase side effects.
attack risk..
Drinking high levels of alcohol increases the The American Heart Association recommends
Alcohol or substances such as resveratrol, risk for alcoholism, high blood pressure, lifestyle changes for preventing heart
which is commonly found in red wine, may obesity , stroke, breast cancer, suicide and disease, including: consuming a healthy diet,
prevent platelets in the blood from sticking to accidents. exercising and controlling blood cholesterol levels,
one another. This may reduce clot formation, weight management, and management of blood
thus decreasing the risk of a heart attack. People who take aspirin regularly should not
pressure.
drink alcohol due to a combined negative
More than one drink a day for women effect on blood coagulation.
increases the risk of breast cancer.
Those who are at the greatest risk for