You can drink alcohol with high cholesterol, but moderation is crucial, as heavy drinking raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides, while light-to-moderate intake might slightly increase HDL ("good") cholesterol but carries other health risks, so it's best to limit intake to guidelines (up to 1 drink/day for women, 2 for men) and consult a doctor for personalized advice.
But antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also called the "good" cholesterol, and protect against cholesterol buildup.
So, drinking alcohol raises the triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood. If your triglyceride levels become too high, they can build up in the liver, causing fatty liver disease. The liver can't work as well as it should and can't remove cholesterol from your blood, so your cholesterol levels rise.
Drinking too much alcohol can increase your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some medical conditions can cause high cholesterol levels including kidney and liver disease and underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Should I stop drinking if I have high cholesterol? Cutting down on alcohol will help your liver to work better at removing bad cholesterol. It may also improve your heart health in other ways by helping you lose weight and lower your blood pressure.
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish), exercising regularly (30 mins most days), losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, as these changes lower bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, with some people needing medication for more severe cases.
Within three weeks of being alcohol free, your blood pressure will likely lower, and your general cardiovascular health will improve.
The healthiest alcoholic drinks are generally red wine, clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila) mixed with soda water, and hard seltzers, chosen for their lower sugar/carb content and potential antioxidants (in wine). The key is moderation and avoiding sugary mixers; simple, less-processed options are best, but remember no alcohol is truly "healthy," and excessive consumption is harmful.
The worst foods for cholesterol are those high in saturated fats and trans fats, primarily fatty red/processed meats, full-fat dairy, fried foods, and many commercially baked goods (cakes, pastries, cookies) and sweets, as they raise "bad" LDL cholesterol. Tropical oils (coconut, palm) and ultra-processed foods are also significant contributors, so focus on limiting these for better heart health.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins, when mixed with excessive alcohol, may elevate triglyceride levels, worsen muscle side effects and possibly lead to liver damage. Talk to your doctor first if you have more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks daily and you take a statin.
Lack of physical activity is linked to a higher risk of having unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, particularly in women, and raises LDL cholesterol. Stress may raise levels of certain hormones, such as corticosteroids. These can cause your body to make more cholesterol.
Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activity. Exercise can improve cholesterol. Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol.
Whiskey has high levels of polyphenols, plant-based antioxidants linked with lowering your risk of heart disease. The polyphenols in whiskey have been shown to decrease “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels, and reduce triglycerides, or fat in your blood.
Another great cholesterol-lowering breakfast is avocado on whole-grain or whole-wheat toast, says Popp. Avocados are an excellent cholesterol-lowering food. This creamy fruit is rich in healthy unsaturated fats, gut-healthy fiber, and plant sterols that can help bust LDL, the experts note.
The claims range from how a glass a day — red wine especially — can reduce a person's risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and diabetes to how its antioxidants can help slow aging and limit stress in the brain. If you're someone who enjoys wine, this is welcome news.
Try to eat more:
Moderation Is Key
In studies examining coffee's impact on cholesterol, people who experienced increased cholesterol levels were those who drank about five cups or more each day. So, moderation can also be important.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.
However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.
Considered one of the most dangerous – and unhealthy – drinks, a Long Island iced tea doesn't actually contain any iced tea. Instead, it's a combination of vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec, topped with sour mix and soda. All together, that means one Long Island contains as many as 780 calories.
While hard liquor may have the highest alcohol concentration, that doesn't mean these beverages are more dangerous than beer. People around the world become addicted to alcohol more than any other substance. This problem can stem from wine, beer, liquor or any alcoholic beverage.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
What To Drink Instead of Alcohol
A recent study, published in JAMA Network Open in March 2025, examined how changes in alcohol consumption affect cholesterol levels. Researchers analyzed over 57,000 adults undergoing annual health checkups and found that quitting alcohol led to increased LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreased HDL (good cholesterol).