If You Drink, Choose Red Wine Over Beer or Spirits in Moderation
It is not a good idea to start drinking for any reason, even as a way to try to live longer or increase life expectancy. If you drink, choose red wine over other alcohol containing drinks. There are dangers that come with drinking. Review them here.
A study done in Copenhagen, Denmark followed 6051 men and 7234 women between 30 and 70 years old. The relative risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly less for those who had a low to moderate intake of wine. It was found that beer intake did not change mortality risk much and that drinking spirits increased mortality. (6)
Alcohol intake may increase good cholesterol (HDL). It is believed that HDL increases from alcohol beverages are responsible for 50% of the protective effect from coronary artery disease. The other 50% level of protection may be due to polyphenols in red wine which inhibit platelet aggregation. (7)