To drink or not to drink – that is the question. The answer may surprise you.
Researchers have found that women who consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol had a lower risk of stroke and heart disease than those who didn’t drink – in fact drinking in moderation is believed to lower your risk by about 30 percent.
The study was done at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. 84,000 women between the ages of 30 and 55 and had no evidence of cardiovascular disease were used as test subjects. Among the 25,000 women who didn’t drink, 1045 had a stroke. In the 29,000 light drinkers there were 552 strokes but only 341 of the women who were moderate drinkers suffered a stroke.
They believe that the benefit comes from components in the booze that prevent blood clots and promote the good cholesterol. Â They also cautioned that heavy drinking actually increased the chances of strokes.
So what is moderate drinking? One to one and a half glasses or wine or one cocktail or beer daily is the amount to aim for. That cocktail you unwind with after work or the glass of wine you have with dinner are fine as long as you don’t overdo it on a daily basis.
Researchers are quick to point out that women who don’t drink shouldn’t start.
Basically we go back to the old adage, everything in moderation. So, if you drink don’t be concerned about raising a glass – just keep it in check.
source: Time Healthland
source: My Health Daily
photo credit: Aasen Ryan Family
