Heavy alcohol use, such as having that last extra drink at the end of the night, has been linked to a high rate of cancer and obesity. But various studies have also shown that spirits, in their proper measure, reduce the incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, liver cirrhosis and epilepsy. What is the ideal amount of alcohol that we should consume per day to stay healthy? According to a new study, between one and two glasses of red wine in the case of women, and between three and four, in the case of men, report innumerable beneficial effects, reducing the risk of mortality by 40 percent.
Thus concludes the work published in the British Journal of Nutrition and carried out by the Carlos III Health Institute, the University of Navarra, and the CIBEROBN. This is the first time that the influence of the global pattern of alcoholic beverage intake in relation to mortality has been analyzed. According to the research, moderate alcohol consumption throughout the week, avoiding binge eating on Fridays and Saturdays, practically reduces the risk of death by half compared to abstainers. The authors point out that, to enjoy these protective effects, it is important to opt for red wine over other distilled beverages, since it is a true elixir of good health.
To obtain this conclusion, the scientists followed about 20,000 participants for 7 years, and found that mortality was considerably reduced when alcohol was consumed in the traditional Mediterranean style, that is, when an average of 30 grams of wine was drank a day throughout the week, always accompanied by meals and never exceeding five alcoholic drinks a day.
“When alcohol consumption moves away from this pattern, the risk of mortality doubles,” warns Martínez-González, professor at the University of Navarra. The finding adds to the long list of health effects derived from responsible alcohol consumption , that in addition to strengthening our body, makes us happier.
