Beneficial effects on health all have been mostly observed in older individuals (men over 35 and women over of 45). Above these ages low amounts of alcohol intake are associated with decreased mortality. This is especially evident in coronary heart disease. In the first figure it can be seen that men drinking between 1 and 2 drinks per day have a lower risk of coronary heart disease than those drinking smaller or larger amounts.
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alcohol heart attacks
From 51,529 males participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, 8,867 participated in 4 healthy lifestyle behaviors (BMI < 25, 30 min/day exercise, no smoking and top 50% intake healthy diet). Incidence of nonfatal and fatal myocardial infarction was assessed over 16 years follow-up. Average age = 56 and average BMI = 23. Hazard ratio adjusted for age, parental history myocardial infarction, aspirin use, history of hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. (Constructed from data in Mukamal KJ, et al, Arch Internal Med, 166:2145, 2006)
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In both older men and women moderate alcohol intake may be associated with improved cognitive function. In the second figure it can be seen that in elderly women both those reporting less than one drink a day and those reporting one or more drinks per day have higher scores on the mini mental state examination and show less decline when examined 4 years later.
alcohol cognition women
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Beneficial effects of alcohol drinking can also be demonstrated in elderly Japanese-American men where about one drink a day was associated with better cognitive performance 18 years later. In the third figure it can be seen that more than four drinks a day obviously produces impaired cognitive abilities, which would be expected.
alcohol cognition men
