Alcohol intake was strongly associated with increased concentrations of 'good cholesterol' in both men and women
People who drink up to half a bottle of wine a day are healthier than teetotallers, according to a surprising new study.
This is because those who enjoyed three glasses of wine a day tended to take more exercise, have a higher social status and suffer from less stress, according to researchers.
A Team from the Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris studied almost 150,000 people and found those who enjoyed low or moderate intake of alcohol were fitter than those who never touched a drop or drank to excess.
The participants - 97,406 men and 52,367 women - were split into five groups including no alcohol consumption, low alcohol consumption (less than one glass a day), moderate drinkers (between one and three glasses a day), heavy drinkers (more than three glasses) and former drinkers who now abstained.
The analysis showed those who drank moderately were more likely to have lower cardiovascular disease risk, heart rate, stress, depression and body mass index.
They also scored higher on health measures such as respiratory function and physical activity.
Among women, similar trends were seen in moderate drinkers who had lower blood pressure and waist circumference, according to the findings published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Study author Dr Boris Hansel, said: 'Importantly, the findings showed moderate alcohol consumption is a powerful general indicator of optimal social status and this could be a key reason for improved health in these subjects.'
They said the low and moderate groups of both males and females displayed 'a more favourable health status than the groups that never drunk or drunk large amounts.'
For both genders, alcohol intake was strongly associated with increased concentrations of 'good cholesterol' known as HDL (high density lipoprotein) in the blood.
But it could not be shown that the influence of alcohol on HDL had a cardio-protective effect and the researchers warned these results cannot yet be taken as evidence of alcohol staving off heart disease.
The researchers said:'In our study, the BMI (body mass index) and percentage of obese subjects in both men and women, as well as the waist circumference in women, were lowest in moderate drinkers. Our findings show that moderate alcohol consumption is a powerful general indicator of optimal social status.'
Commenting on the report, June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'This French study adds to previous research which suggests that a small amount of alcohol drunk regularly can offer some protection against coronary heart disease.
'However, drinking more than sensible amounts of alcohol does not offer any protection and can cause high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers and damage to your heart.
'If you don't drink already there is no reason to start now as there are much healthier ways to look after your heart.'
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