How much alcohol is good for you?
New research is showing that beer and other alcoholic drinks – not just red wine – taken in moderation may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
A study at the recent World Congress on Alcohol Research in Sydney, presented by Harvard University’s Associate Professor Ken Mukamel, showed that alcohol – beer, wine or spirits – raises HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol that seems to be the major mechanism that prevents heart attacks.
He said that the recommended maximum safe levels of alcohol for coronary heart disease was two to three drinks for men, and one to two drinks per day for women. In general, frequent drinking of small doses on a regular basis for coronary heart disease seems to be associated with lower risk. For ischemic stroke, it may be that the lowest risk is one drink every three to four days.
If people drink moderately, drink safely, and don’t drink in hazardous ways, then it’s acceptable to continue drinking for the most part. But for certain people, for example those with hepatitis, or women that may be at an increased risk for breast cancer, even moderate amounts could be considered dangerous.
