If there’s nothing you cherish more than having a catch up with your friends over a drink, or after a long day you like to get cosy on the sofa with a glass of red, or perhaps you’re overjoyed that we’re heading into beer-garden season, this news might just make your day.
While it’s common knowledge that drinking heavily can pave the way to a number of health issues, a new study has found that moderate alcohol consumption is thought to be associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with abstinence or heavy drinking.
According to The Times, the study (published in the BMJ) looked at the health records of almost 2 million people and found that moderate drinkers are less likely to suffer from angina, heart attack, heart failure, ischaemic stroke and other circulation problems caused by a build-up of fat in the arteries and aortic aneurysm, than those who are tee-total.
Moderate drinkers are considered to be those who stay within the recommended 14-unit alcohol limit per week (for women). This is roughly equivalent to five pints of higher-strength beer or one and a half bottles of wine. Or, for those whose who are partial to a stronger tipple such as a vodka lime soda or a gin and tonic (hello), you should stick to less than 10 drinks per week, as spirits can count for 1 - 1.4 units per drink.
Previous studies have suggested that alcohol has a positive effect on the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol in the blood, but while these findings seem positive, the researchers are urging that drinking alcohol is not the most effective way of lowering cardiovascular risk. ‘There are arguably safer and more effective ways of reducing cardiovascular risk, such as increasing physical activity and smoking cessation, which do not incur increased risks of alcohol-related harm such as alcohol dependence, liver disease, and cancer.’
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