Moderate alcohol consumption: Beneficial to your health?

It has been clearly demonstrated that the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a marked reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Since CHD is the leading cause oi death in most developed societies, this protection against heart disease leads to lower all-cause mortality rates for moderate drinkers than for abstainers. Except for a possible slight increase in the risk of breast cancer among women, the adverse health effects of alcohol use are generally associated with excessive intake or inappropriate use (e.g., before driving). There is little evidence that encouraging moderate use for individuals at risk of CHD will increase abuse. II is concluded that current scientific data indicate that we could safely encourage moderate alcohol intake for a large segment of the American population, those who are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases and have no medical, moral, or other reason not to drink. Such individuals should be made aware that moderate, responsible alcohol consumption could be beneficial to their health.