There are undeniable indications for a beneficial effect of alcohol on health, in the form of a J. Low to moderate alcohol consumption (1 per day for women, 1 to 2 for men) is good for coronary heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, risk of stroke, mortality, etc. Higher consumption is harmful. The cardiovascular protection is mainly caused by improvement of the insulin sensitivity and by the high-density (HDL) cholesterol . According to American researchers it is the ethanol itself, and not all manner of other constituents of alcoholic drinks, that form the cause of the beneficial effects.

Besides the increased insulin sensitivity and the increased HDL cholesterol, improvement of the inflammation parameters and the abdominal fat formation likewise have a certain role in the protecting effect. One or two drinks a day also brings about a moderate decrease (7% to 10%) of the triglycerides. Above this consumption level the amount of triglycerides increases proportionately with the amount of alcohol. Moderate alcohol consumption leads to less abdominal fat than among non-drinkers, but this changes after more than 2 drinks a day, again in relation to the amount of alcohol consumed. Intra-abdominal fat is closely connected with a low HDL level, with insulin resistance and with inflammation.

Given its beneficial effects alcohol may be especially useful for persons with an abnormal glucose metabolism and/or glucose resistance. Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduction of diabetes. An extensive study that followed more than 370 000 individuals for 12 years established a 30% decrease of new cases of diabetes among persons drinking one to two units of alcohol per day.

Recent studies have also shown that a moderate daily intake of alcohol is better than a less frequent consumption. This can be explained by the limited duration of the beneficial effects of alcohol..

Despite these beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption doctors will recommend drinking only in highly exceptional cases, because not everyone is able to keep to the limit of one or two glasses a day, and there is the danger of being tempted to drink more to the point of dependence. Alcohol addiction is still a serious social evil, responsible for a high number of diseases and death.

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