Estimates of the total number of deaths where alcohol has played a part range up to 33,000 a year
·
Medical research has shown that adults who regularly
drink small amounts of alcohol tend to live longer
than those who don’t drink at all. This is
primarily because alcohol gives protection from
coronary heart disease. Alcohol affects the amount
of cholesterol carried in the bloodstream and also
makes it less likely that clots will form.
·
However, there is no evidence to show that you can
build up this protection in advance. The protective
effects are only significant when people reach the
stage of life when they are at risk from coronary
heart disease – for men, over the age of 40,
for women, after the menopause.
·
And, to maximise these benefits, only 1-2 units
should be drunk. No additional advantage will be
gained by drinking more.
·
The benefits come from drinking small amounts of
alcohol fairly often. Drinking large amounts of
alcohol once a week, say, does not carry the same
advantage.
·
It is often said that red wine is the primary beneficiary
to health, but there is no clear evidence of this.
A little of whatever you prefer can do the trick.
·
If you don’t drink, no need to start now.
Other ways to reduce the risk of coronary heart
disease are regular exercise, healthy eating and
giving up smoking.
