College drinking and heart disease risk

Heavy drinking by college students increases levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, USA, surveyed 25 college students about behaviour that could affect CRP levels. The students were asked to complete a survey that included questions about their smoking habits, medication use, recent weight loss, alcohol consumption, and other factors. Six students did not drink and 10 were classified as moderate drinkers, defined as 2 to 5 drinks once or twice a week. Nine students were heavy drinkers, defined as 3 or more drinks at one sitting 3 or more times a week or 5 or more drinks at one sitting 2 or more days a week. It was found that that the average CRP level for the group as a whole was 1 milligram per litre, which indicated an overall 'low risk' for heart disease. However, this increased rapidly, with moderate drinkers having CRP levels of 0.6 milligrams per litre and heavy drinkers having CRP levels of 1.3 milligrams per litre. Male drinkers had higher average CRP levels than female drinkers, although the difference was not statistically significant. The relationship between alcohol consumption and CRP levels was shaped as a J curve, with slightly lower-than-average CRP levels seen with small amounts of alcohol consumption, which then rose sharply as drinking became heavier. College-aged students need to know that they are increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease by drinking early in life.