DR. ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: A study by researchers at Harvard found that healthy women who moderate amounts of alcohol during middle age had a 20 percent chance of being in better health than seniors compared to those who didn't drink. But consuming alcohol also comes with health risks. The study looked at almost 14,000 women in the mid to late 50s to see how their health fared if they drank up to one drink a day. That's defined as no more than four ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer or a mixed drink with one shot of liquor. The participants were considered healthy if at age 70 they were free from chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease or mentally sharp, in OK physical, shape, and had no mental health issues. Previous research has shown that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol in middle age may lower the risk of heart disease in both men and women because it can raise levels of good cholesterol, or HDL. But experts say women who drink two or more drinks a day increase their risk for breast cancer. Heavy drinking has also been tide to other cancers, liver disease, increases in blood pressure, and damage to the heart. If you don't drink, researchers say, there's no need to start. With this week's health for her, I'm Elizabeth Cohen.
Study Finds Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Improve Health