Light Drinking Cuts Risk for Death, Heart Attack

It has been know for years that moderate drinking are good for heart. Here is another study adds to the growing evidence that a drink each day helps lower heart risks and extend life span.

The study follows adults in their 70s found that those who regularly had one to seven drinks per week were 30% less likely to develop heart disease over six years. They were also less likely to die of any cause.
The findings add to evidence that modest alcohol intake benefits the cardiovascular system. However, the researchers found no evidence that the anti-inflammatory effects of alcohol deserved the credit, as some experts have suspected.
Whatever the reason, this study confirms a protective effect of light alcohol drinking.

Still, researches are quick point out that heavy drinking is a health hazard, and even moderate drinking does not have the same benefits for everyone. In their study, light drinking showed the strongest benefits in men with high levels of a protein called interleukin-6, which is associated with an elevated heart disease risk. There was also no clear benefit among women.