The latest news on the health
benefits of moderate amounts of wine is
aimed at post-menopausal women. Research
appearing in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition
suggests that a daily dose of an alcoholic
beverage can significantly lower cholesterol
levels in older women – a group whose
risk of "bad" cholesterol and
heart disease increases after menopause.
The study’s findings
include any type of alcohol, including
wine. One daily serving, defined as 1.5
ounces of alcohol in a cocktail, 12 ounces
of beer, or 4 ounces of wine, was found
to reduce LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol")
and artery-clogging triglycerides. Two
servings daily had an additional benefit
– increasing HDL levels (the "good
cholesterol").
Two drinks appears to be
where the benefits stop – go beyond
two and the detrimental health effects
seem to outweigh the good ones, possibly
even increasing triglycerides.
As usual, the study does
not actually recommend that anyone begin
consuming alcohol or increase her consumption
of alcohol. The findings are simply meant
to add information and insight to a woman’s
decisions about her health and lifestyle.
Based on the test group,
the authors of the study projected that
consumption of one drink per day could
decrease cardiovascular disease risk in
postmenopausal women by 4-5%, and two
drinks per day would result in as much
as a 10-13% decrease.
For more on the study,
visit the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition at http://www.ajcn.org/misc/release1.shtml#baer
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