It can protect your heart. One drink a night can cut the risk of heart disease by up to 40%. Alcohol can lower bad (LDL) cholesterol, raise good (HDL) cholesterol, and reduce blood problems that can lead to clogged arteries.
Light drinking can boost your brainpower, and drinking moderately can help prevent cognitive decline. Researchers believe that since moderate drinking raises good cholesterol, it can improve blood flow to the brain.
One glass a day can keep you slim. If consumed regularly in moderation, alcohol can help fight fat. Researchers believe that the bodies of long-term moderate drinkers somehow adapt to metabolise alcohol differently to people who binge-drink a couple of nights a week. Remember: moderate.
It can reduce diabetes risk. It seems that moderate amounts of alcohol can make easier for your body to process glucose and use it as energy, lowering the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
Moderate drinking may prevent gallstones. Gallstones form inside the gallbladder and are generally made up of hardened cholesterol. Add a little alcohol to your diet – while it increases good cholesterol in your bloodstream, it also affects cholesterol in the gallbladder.