Health Tips | Sep 25

Alcohol in moderation for men at one to two drinks per day ( the new research shows any alcohol-red/white wines, beer, spirits) all have the same cardio-protective effects.  It raises your good cholesterol (HDL) and reduces the formation of clots that can block your arteries.

For men one to two drinks per day can reduce your chances of having a heart attack by 30-40% compared to non-drinkers!  That is about the same statistics as seen for the powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins.

For women its a bit tricker due to the fact that two drinks per day has shown an increase in breast cancer by 20%.  But the new research shows that those women are getting insufficient amounts of a B-vitamin known as Folic Acid.  So it is especially important for women who consume alcohol to supplement with Folic Acid or take a multi-vitamin.

Reference: Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy by Walter Willet, M.D.