Consumption of alcohol in moderation increases the levels of "good" cholesterol in the body.
Moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial, at least as far as the heart is concerned. This theory is supported by nearly 100 different studies among a large group of people. They found that those who consumed alcohol in moderation were less likely to have cardiovascular problems and less likely to be fatal due to heart disease .
The key word here is "moderation." Alcohol can be both beneficial and harmful, as excessive consumption carries a risk of liver problems and psychological and behavioral disorders that are harmful to health.
In a recent study in the field, researchers pointed out a way in which alcohol can be good for the heart by keeping "good" cholesterol levels high.
The study involved more than 80,000 adult Chinese who answered questions about their alcohol- related habits . They give blood samples for analysis during the 6-year study period. This measures HDL cholesterol levels, as well as markers of inflammation and liver function.
Those who report moderate alcohol consumption - about one drink for women and two for men - have the highest levels of HDL cholesterol. With age, the levels of "good" cholesterol begin to fall, but among those who consume alcohol in moderation, the process turns out to be slow. Among the participants who abstain or drink in larger quantities, this benefit is not observed.
In fact, the data show that alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of heart disease , not forgetting the key word - 'moderation'.
The study was presented during a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, USA.