How a drink a day (well almost), could help keep the doctor away Researchers have for some time been informing us of the health benefits of a small amount of alcohol, as well as the detrimental consequences of overdoing it. The benefits of the occasional glass of alcohol include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and favourably effecting HDL-cholesterol (‘good cholesterol’), and may also offer protection against Type 2 diabetes and gallstones. It has also been demonstrated that eating more fruit and veg and drinking alcohol with a meal, can increase these positive health effects.

Current guide lines are men 3 – 4 units of alcohol, and women 1 – 2 units per day.