Wine is Good for your Heart

Moderate alcohol intake—in any form, not just wine—is associated with a 25 to 30 percent reduced risk of heart disease in women, according to Rimm. “Alcohol raises HDL, or good, cholesterol levels”, says Dr. Apstein. “Like aspirin, it also thins the blood a little, so it protects against clot formation, which is one cause of heart attacks and stroke.” Young women who drink moderately may also be less likely to have high blood pressure, says a recent study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Much of the research in this area looks at men or postmenopausal women, but studies haven’t confirmed alcohol’s protective effect in young women. “Still, heart disease doesn’t develop overnight, so it’s reasonable to assume that drinking moderately before you hit menopause can help lower your risk down the road.” – Bree Scott

Visual source: usyd