Benefits of Drinking

We all know that too much alcohol is bad for us, but more and more studies are proving that alcohol if taken in moderation can have some healthy benefits.

Alcohol can aid in the prevention of heart disease

Numerous recent studies have shown that there are positive affects to your cholesterol from drinking alcohol in moderation (about one drink a day). These studies have displayed that one drink a day can aid in reducing heart disease and heart attacks, raising good cholesterol and increasing beneficial antioxidants.

Dr Paul T. Williams who has carried out various investigations into the benefits of alcohol has stated about his findings that at every level, HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) went up in association with the number of drinks consumed per week. In addition to this he also claimed that people who drank 6 ounces of alcohol per week were five times more likely to have a desirable cholesterol level than non-drinkers

In turn, this good cholesterol cuts the risk of heart disease in both men and women. One study has also found that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can cut the risk of a deadly heart attack in men who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke.

Dr J. Michael Gaziano has found a clear reduction in the risk of death in light to moderate drinkers compared to people who didn't drink at all. He also found that drinking more than one drink a day does not increase the heart disease prevention benefits.

Which drinks are the healthiest?

Research has proven that wine's and beer's, especially the darker ales and stouts, can reduce heart disease risk and may also reduce atherosclerosis and cataracts by up to 50%, especially in diabetics. Darker beers have more antioxidants than the lighter lager beers so they have stronger heart disease and cancer prevention benefits.

Experts from University of Wisconsin have found that drinking Guinness in moderation does help to reduce clotting activity in your blood, they also found that this was not the case with lager. But the best type of alcohol to prevent heart disease and other health risks is red wine.

Tips on how to sensibly enjoy drinking alcohol

• Plan in advance how you're going to get home, and make sure you keep money for your taxi money
• Try to drink a glass of water in between every alcoholic drink, this will keep you hydrated and minimise hangovers
• Don't accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended
• Stay with your friends and make sure they don't disappear with strangers, especially if they are overly drunk
• Eat before you go out so that the alcohol can be absorbed faster.
• Drink soft drinks in between alcoholic ones if you feel yourself getting too drunk - they look the same so no-one has to know

Hangover cures

If you find you've overindulged the night before and feel a hangover coming on:

• It might feel like the last thing you want to do, but drink as much water as you can during the night and when you wake up, as this will re-hydrate your body.
• Eat as soon as possible so that you will raise your blood sugar levels
• Don't try drinking more - it will only add to the problem in the long run
• Tea or coffee might help to counteract alcohol's depressant value, but they also dehydrate you, so if they're a must then drink extra water
• Give your body a rest from alcohol for a couple of days

Work out your alcohol units for yourself with this handy sum:

Strength (ABV) x Volume (ml) ÷ 1000 = No. of units.

E.g. Pint of Guinness - 4.1 x 568 ÷ 1000 = 2.33