Alcohol beverages and biochemical changes in blood.

Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in western civilization: one of every three in men as well as in women. It was shown that diets supplemented with moderate quantities of alcoholic beverages could lead to positive biochemical changes in blood of the consumers, which are regarded widely as indicators of improved prevention of atherosclerosis. This review summarizes the recent epidemiological, experimental and clinical investigations concerning mainly the plasma biochemical changes in lipid levels, anticoagulant and antioxidant activities.