Kabagambe, Edmond K.Baylin, AnaRuiz-Narvaez, EdwardRimm, Eric Bruce::0ab2926c8242f35e5a982e3cf59f4987::600Campos, Hannia2019-08-262005Kabagambe, Edmond K, Ana Baylin, Edward Ruiz-Narvaez, Eric B Rimm, and Hannia Campos. 2005. “Alcohol Intake, Drinking Patterns, and Risk of Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in Costa Rica.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 82 (6): 1336–45. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/82.6.1336.0002-91651938-3207http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41249136Background: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Whether alcohol is truly protective or whether the amount, type, or pattern of intake is the most important is still under debate. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether alcohol intake and drinking patterns are associated with plasma lipids and the risk of MI in Costa Ricans, a population with a low intake of wine. Design: We conducted a study of 2090 cases of a first nonfatal acute MI and 2090 population-based controls matched by age, sex, and residence in Costa Rica, a country with diet and lifestyles different from those of Western countries. Alcohol and dietary intakes were assessed by using validated questionnaires. Results: In a multivariate conditional regression model that controlled for other cardiovascular disease risk factors, the lowest risk of MI [odds ratio (OR) = 0.44; 95% CI 0.31, 0.61] was observed for those who drank on average 3 drinks/wk (compared with lifelong abstainers). When we looked at the frequency of consumption, we found that the risk of MI among daily drinkers (OR = 0.64; 95% CL 0.41, 1.01) was not significantly different (P = 0.23) from that of weekend drinkers (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59,0.98) regardless of the amount consumed. HDL cholesterol increased with the amount and frequency of alcohol intake. Similar to a few other populations, apparent protection was observed at very low alcohol intakes. Conclusion: Low to moderate consumption of alcohol 1-2 d/wk is independently associated with a reduced risk of MI.en-USJournal Article2019-08-2610.1093/ajcn/82.6.1336