Drink Red Wine Moderately and Live Longer
A Dutch study that followed 1300 men for 40 years found that those who regularly drank up to half a glass of wine each day boosted their life expectancy by half a decade. Study authors say the polyphenolic compounds in wine (especially red) may have hearthealthy effects. Alcohol raises levels of “good” cholesterol and can increase levels of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), a protein that helps break down blood clots. Both benefits can help minimize lifethreatening ailments such as stroke and heart disease. But because even modest alcohol intake is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, if you are a social drinker, keep your daily intake low – no more than one small glass per day.
Published in January 2012
