Alcohol and Your Health

But Spring Break and frat parties aside, what are the real facts on drinking and heart disease?

What's clear when you study the research is that the full answer isn't known yet. But consider this: scientists don't fully understand electricity and yet we couldn't live without it.

In an analysis of over 128,000 patients some rather surprising correlations between death and drinking were uncovered. Of the 3,000 plus people who died in that group, over 20 years, it seems that they were more likely to be non-drinkers.

Although this is hardly a drinker's charter, the information does suggest that there are serious health benefits from moderate drinking. If you have one or two drinks a day it seems you have a 32% lower chance of dying from chronic heart disease.

That's a huge reduction.

One or two drinks does not mean a whole bottle and it does not mean a glass the size of a saucepan! It means a couple of drinks of 'standard' units.

Although the exact mechanism isn't 100% clear, scientists have speculated that alcohol may make the blood less likely to clump or clot, in addition to the known increase in HDL cholesterol from drinking moderately. HDL cholesterol is the 'good' cholesterol and it can 'zap' LDL, the bad kind, into the liver where it can be handled. That can help keep plaque out of your arteries.

Red wine seems to be especially good in this area, although again the jury is still out as to exactly why.

Just in case you're wondering, your chance of dying of chronic heart disease is somewhere round 25% if you live in the developed world. Next time you're standing next to three other people, ask yourself which one of you will die of chronic heart disease.

If you don't want it to be you then consult your physician and learn as much as you can about your own health. There are simple things everyone can do - you just have to do them.

And it seems from the research that an occasional drink might just be one of those things.

Cheers!

please note that this site is designed for entertainment and information purposes only and does not offer medical advice. you should seek the opinion of your doctor, or medical professional, before starting a diet, or any exercise program. medical knowledge can change rapidly and the information on this site can become out of date so it is important to seek qualified professional advice when undertaking any health program.