Two new strong studies just appeared in cardiology journal. First is one of largest, longest and best designed in yrs. Reviewed records of nearly 250K Americans over 13 yrs. Key findings: Moderate drinkers (3-7 drinks/week for women, 3-14 for men) had 33% reduced risk of coronary heart disease death compared to nondrinkers. Moderate drinkers also had 24% reduced risk for stroke death. Key quote: "Our results provide some of the strongest evidence to date that the observed associations can be generalized to the US population," not limited to subgroups. Second study reviewed previous research among heart disease patients and found light-moderate drinkers had reduced mortality risk from subsequent cardiovascular disease or death from other causes. "Cardiologists should be aware," authors wrote, that "regular moderate alcohol consumption, in the context of a healthy lifestyle" would put patients at mortality risk "substantially lower than either abstainers or heavy or binge drinkers."
Same journal included a positive overview of the current state of the research from pioneer alcohol/health researcher Dr. Arthur Klatsky. At this point, Dr. Klatsky believes there is a "compelling" case that "persons at coronary artery risk obtain a benefit from light-moderate drinking." Dr. Klatsky reminds that links between moderate drinking and better health date back to at least the mid-19th century and research linking moderate drinking to better health dates back to 1926. Lotsa evidence now favors "a causal protective effect of moderate alcohol drinking,"