Cost-effectiveness of beer versus red wine for the prevention of symptomatic coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Until now, red wine has been the cardioprotective beverage of choice, but the convenience and lack of adverse effects make beer a more cost-effective, safe and widely available choice. A paucity of evidence in support of this led to our study.


METHODS
During a 6-month period, 11,780 consecutive patrons at 18 randomly selected urban and community liquor distributors were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either beer or wine daily for 5 years. Of the 10,078 people who met the inclusion criteria, 5033 were assigned to receive red wine and 5039 to receive beer every day.


RESULTS
Effectiveness and adverse effects were equal in the 2 groups. However, costs for beer were substantially lower.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of its effectiveness, low cost, acceptable adverse-event profile and the fact that it is available in convenient single-dose dispensers, beer should replace red wine as the cardioprotective beverage of choice.
Innes
G
G
St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver.
D001515:Beer; D002170:Canada; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D014920:Wine; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic