Most people think that alcohol is bad for you. And most people are probably right, because a lot of people drink way to much. And way to much of anything is … unhealthy.
What most people don’t know is that red wine is actually good for you – in moderate amounts; that is 1–2 glasses per day for women and 2–4 glasses a day for men.
Dr. Kahn is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine and Director of Cardiac Wellness, Michigan Healthcare Professionals PC. He says:
«In an analysis of studies combining data on over 1 million people and overall death rates, the U shaped curve was “sweetest” at “1 to 2 drinks per day for women and 2 to 4 drinks per day for men.” Why? There are many beneficial effects of alcohol, including enhancing insulin action, raising HDL cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and improving arterial function. Red wine is particular is rich in polyphenols, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet actions.
In a separate analysis of drinking (and specifically heart deaths) in 250,000 US adults, researchers found that up to 7 drinks per week for women and 14 drinks per week for men was associated with over a 30% drop in mortality.»
Women generally have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the liver that metabolizes alcohol, and therefore are advised to drink smaller amounts.
New research also shows that pregnant women also can drink – very moderately – without harming the child.