Are there any health benefits to moderate drinking?

With moderate drinking , (The Mediterranean Diet is about losing weight) the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and the risk of death from cardiovascular disease as well as all causes, may be reduced by up to 30%, especially for men over 40 and post menopausal women for whom the risk factors for heart disease and strokes are highest. The risk increases exceptionally, however, with each drink above moderation. Drinking more than the guidelines will not provide more benefits, only more harms.

Statistically there are no health benefits for younger age groups who, for example, are at greater risk from alcohol related violence and accidents. It is not recommended that anyone should start drinking for health reasons.

Alcohol, may protect against cardiovascular disease because, in simple terms it “thins the blood” and so helps reduce the risk of harmful clots and clogging of the arteries. Small amounts of alcohol also stimulate the liver to produce ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) which in turn carries off the harmful cholesterol (LDL) for disposal.

The message is little and often however as just one standard drink is enough and the positive effect lasts for approximately 24 hours.

Several studies have confirmed that for middle-aged and older adults very moderate drinking can confer health benefits, such as lowered risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and Type 2 diabetes. Drinking more than ‘moderately’ can cause raised blood pressure and can interfere with good diabetes control thus increasing the risk of both stroke and heart attacks.