Top 10 Health Benefits From Drinking Alcohol

Many would argue that drinking alcohol harms more people than it helps, but generally speaking the dangers and risks are rooted in excessive consumption. "One of the most consistent findings in recent nutrition research is that moderate alcohol consumption can improve health and lead to a longer life,"says Eric Rimm, Sc.D., associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. It's widely known that the benefits of moderate drinking -- 2 or less drinks a day -- raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of death from heart disease (by about 25 percent). But moderate drinking also helps to prevent type 2 diabetes and strokes. (Click "Next" to see Top 10 Health Benefits From Drinking Alcohol) Below we've listed 10 specific ways drinking alcohol in moderation can improve your health. 1) Drinking Champagne Could Delay Alzheimer's Drinking one to three glasses of champagne a week may counteract the memory loss associated with ageing, and could help delay the onset of degenerative brain disorders. The phenolic compounds found in champagne can improve spatial memory responsible for recording information about one's environment, and storing the information for future navigation. Champagne has high levels of phenolics which are derived from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, two red grapes which are used in champagne production along with the white grape Chardonnay. According to researchers, it is these phenolic compounds which are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of champagne on the brain. 2) Boost Your Immune System According to a new study, alcohol can boost your immune system. After researchers vaccinated animals and then gave them access to alcohol, they found animals that had consumed alcohol had faster responses to the vaccines. According to UCR Today, moderate alcohol consumption has long been associated with a lower mortality rate. Moderate alcohol consumption boosts your immune system while chronic alcohol consumption leads to a suppressed vaccine response. Moderate drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as no more than four drinks on a single day and no more than 14 in a week for men. For women, it is defined as no more than three drinks on a single day and no more than seven in a week. 3) Reduce Risk of Diabetes A 2005 report published in Diabetes Care found that moderate amounts of alcohol -- up to a drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men -- reduces risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30 percent. Alcohol increases levels of a hormone that improves insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to process glucose and use it as energy. This helps reduce the amount of sugar in the bloodstream and ultimately reduces risk for developing diabetes. 4) Lower Cholesterol Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have identified another group of chemicals called saponins in red wine that is linked to the ability to lower cholesterol. The compounds are believed to come from the waxy skin of grapes, which dissolve into the wine during its fermentation process. Average dietary saponin intake has been estimated at 15 mg, while one glass of red has a total saponin concentration of about half that, making red wine a significant dietary source. Red wine especially is credited with increasing "good," HDL cholesterol levels. HDL helps clean the body by removing LDL, or "bad," cholesterol. 5) Heart Healthy As FriendsEAT co-founder Blanca Valbuena points out, since red wine takes care of cholesterol reduction and artery clogging, then you can expect that your heart will be dealing with lesser problems. Because much of alcohol's benefit to heart health has to do with its ability to raise good cholesterol, lower bad cholesterol, and reduce blood problems that can lead to clogged arteries. Moderate drinking can cut your risk of heart disease by up to 40 percent, according to a review of more than 100 prospective studies from the Harvard School of Public Health. 6) Reduce Kidney Stones According to a Harvard study, red wine can help reduce the occurrences of kidney stones. Research shows that regular moderate alcohol consumption reduces risk of gallstones. Since alcohol increases good cholesterol in your bloodstream, it also affects cholesterol in the gallbladder. 7) Helps Fight Fat A 2010 study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine found that women who had one or two drinks a day were less likely to gain weight. According to Lu Wang, lead researcher on the study and an instructor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol tend to eat less food, particularly carbohydrates. 8) Beer Helps Kidneys According to the 2011 ADA Times, beer can actually reduce your risk of kidney stones. The hops not only help slow the release of calcium from the bones but beer also has a high water content, which helps clear out those kidneys. 9) May Reduce Risk of Cancer A Portuguese study found soaking meat in a marinade of beer can eliminate almost 70 percent of carcinogens from the meat. 10) Unleash Creativity In one study, individuals were brought to a blood alcohol content of approximately .075, and after reaching peak intoxication, completed a battery of RAT items (Remote Associates Tests). Intoxicated individuals solved more RAT items, in less time, and were more likely to perceive their solutions as the result of a sudden insight. Results are interpreted from an attentional control perspective.