Moderate alcohol intake is thought to be cardioprotective. The postulated mechanism has always been the elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration seen in alcohol consumers compared to nondrinkers. Recent studies have raised the possibility that insulin sensitivity may be mediating the effect between moderate alcohol consumption and lowered cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study therefore has the following aims: 1.To assess whether the daily consumption of a moderate amount of alcohol can improve insulin sensitivity in a volunteer group of nondrinkers predefined as insulin resistant. 2. To determine if moderate alcohol intake by improving insulin sensitivity will have the beneficial metabolic outcomes in HDL, insulin and glucose to lower CVD risk. 3. To investigate if measures of endothelial function (asymmetric dimethylarginine and soluble cellular adhesion molecules) as risk factors for CVD are affected by moderate alcohol consumption and insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity/resistance will be measured by the insulin suppression test. Given the morbidity and mortality of insulin resistance and CVD, it becomes important to clarify the role of moderate alcohol consumption to both.
