> The common explanation is that alcohol can boost high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, which can be protective against arterial blocka

> The common explanation is that alcohol can boost high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, which can be protective against arterial blockages > But alcohol consumption, even at that allegedly moderate level, is also associated with a suite of cardiovascular problems, including stroke, aortic aneurysm, fatal hypertensive disease and heart failure. The data show that the bad effects offset the good. Maybe the HDL levels increase because alcohol is so damaging to the body, and the body reacts to protect with with more HDL cholesterol? So it's kind of like having a house burning and then setting a few more homes on fire to get more firemen to the scene.