Martini, Beer, or Red Wine?

        

Apparently the health benefits of red wine are not what we thought.


For years we were told that the French, in spite of their diet, were free of heart disease because of their consumption of antioxidant-laden red wine. Now we learn, it's not the antioxidants, it is the alcohol itself!


Alcohol raises levels of protective high-density lipoproteins (HDL, or good cholesterol). HDLs  prevent plaque buildup and reduce clotting factors. (Eric Rimm, ScD, School of Public Health at Harvard University as reported by Cooking Light, April, 2010)


The bottom line: any drink that contains alcohol, when consumed in moderation (2 drinks a day), helps reduce heart disease risk. Beer, wine, and liquors all have the same health benefit! A glass of red wine is no healthier than a martini.