Back to Newsletter Article Cheers! Why A Drink A Day Can Be Healthy

Some women who drink an alcoholic beverage every day are less likely to gain weight than nondrinkers. But, the same does not hold true for men.

Before you celebrate too heartily, keep in mind these important details from the research. The women, age 39 or older, had a normal weight at the start of the study. Those who drank one or two glasses of beer, wine or liquor were less likely to gain weight and were at lower risk for obesity. Scientists think the reason is that these women simply ate fewer calories. But don't go on an alcohol diet. Other studies show that regular drinking also increases breast cancer risk.

Red wine does have health benefits. The compounds in the wine, called resveratrol, reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and slow the progression of neurological degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Just one glass of wine per week may help prevent colon cancer, according to one study.

So what's the take-away from this research? Everything in moderation. If you are enjoying one cocktail a day, don't increase your intake. If you are having more than two drinks a day, cut back.