Absorption, distribution, & metabolism.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. If you currently drink no alcohol at all, do not start because of the health benefits. When it comes to drinking alcohol and expecting a health benefit, moderation is the key.
However, it is important to note that many studies making these claims are inconclusive. Investigators at University College in London reported in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health that moderate drinkers who followed a healthful lifestyle were more likely to see a protective effect on the heart, compared with moderate drinkers who smoked or had a poor diet.Ĭonsuming moderate amounts of certain types of alcohol, such as wine, has shown some benefits. In 2012, results of a study of swine with high cholesterol levels suggested that moderate consumption of both vodka and wine may reduce cardiovascular risk, with wine offering greater protection. The participants mostly followed a Mediterranean diet and drank wine in a social context, with family and friends.Ĭardiovascular health: Several studies have shown that moderate, regular alcohol intake may benefit cardiovascular health.Īn Italian review of studies published in the European Journal of Epidemiology found that moderate wine and beer consumption reduced the risk of cardiovascular events, but spirits did not. The investigators reported in the journal BMC Medicine that people who drank from 2 to 7 glasses of wine per week were much less likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression. The study included self-reported data about the drinking habits of 83,578 female participants of the Nurses’ Health Study.Īnother study found that one component in red wine may protect the brain from stroke damage.ĭepression: In a study of 2,683 men and 2,822 women aged between 55 and 80 years, Spanish researchers found that regular, moderate wine drinking might reduce the risk of developing depression, while heavy drinking increases the risk. Stroke: A study published in the journal Stroke found that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may lower the risk of stroke in women. The potential benefits of regular, moderate alcohol consumption include:
When studies show the harm associated with consuming alcohol, they nearly always refer to binge drinking, alcohol abuse, or alcoholism. While some studies advise that alcohol in moderation can have some heart benefits, others explain the associated higher risk of heart damage, cancer, mental health problems, and liver disease. There are many studies that discuss the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. However, these studies were very limited, and no confirmed conclusion has been reached on the link between menstruation and alcohol absorption.Īccording to the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education at the University of Notre Dame, IN, a woman’s body absorbs 30 percent more alcohol than a man’s after drinking the same amount. Studies have found that with the same amount of drink, blood alcohol concentrations are at their highest just before menstruation and at their lowest on the first day after menstruation. Hormonal factors may also play a role in making women more susceptible to the effects of alcohol. Consequently, alcohol remains in a woman’s system longer and builds up faster.
AHD is a chemical that breaks down alcohol in the liver.
Women usually have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (AHD) than men. Women have less tissue with which to absorb alcohol. The threshold for safe alcohol consumption is closely linked to body weight. Studies have shown that females begin having alcohol-related problems at lower levels of alcohol consumption than males.įemales have less water in their bodies than males, pound-for-pound. Share on Pinterest Moderate drinking may have some health benefits, but more research is needed to confirm this.
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