Alcohol and the heart
	Alcohol and cancer
	Women and Alcohol
	Alcohol and diabetes
	Drinking as you get older?
	Alcohol and it's effects
	Alcohol and allergies
What the Doctor says

How does alcohol protect my heart?

Alcohol, in any form, favourably alters the balance of fats in the blood and helps to inhibit excessive coagulation or 'stickiness' of the blood. in simple terms alcohol, like aspirin thins the blood.

The tannin and colour (phenols and flavonoids) present in wine, beer and ciders in high levels, are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of ' bad' low density lipoproteins into its most noxious form and therefore moderate drinking reduces cholesterol build up, or the hardening of the arteries.
Antioxidants also protect, together with alcohol against blood clotting and furthermore enhance the relaxation of blood vessel walls, allowing better blood flow.
Alcohol, most importantly, stimulates the liver to produce 'good' high density lipoprotein cholesterol and enhances the process of reverse cholesterol transport - that is the carting off of the 'bad' cholesterol for disposal via the bile.
The effect of alcohol in protecting against heart disease is believed to be highest in post menopausal women and men over 40.

The National Stroke Association Prevention Advisory Board stated in 1998 that " Studies now show that drinking up to two drinks per day can reduce your risk for stroke by about half. More alcohol than this can increase your risk for stroke by as much as three times."

Please Note: if in doubt contact your family physician