A glass of wine a day protects middle-aged teetotallers from heart disease

Scientists say that middle-aged 'teetotallers' can quickly reduce their risk of heart disease by having a daily tipple.

The scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina in the U.S. have found that novice moderate drinkers were 38% less likely to develop heart disease than those who stayed teetotal and wine was found to have the most benefit for the heart.

The study is part of a 10 year trial of 7,500 people which is looking at risk factors for atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries.

It found that for some individuals, a 'heart healthy diet' may include limited alcohol consumption even among those who were previously teetotal.

The researchers found after 4 years of follow-up, new moderate drinkers had a 38% lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease than did their non-drinking counterparts.

Study leader Dr. Dana King from the the Department of Family Medicine at the university says at the start of the study none of them drank alcohol but during the course of the research 6% began to drink moderate amounts, one drink per day or fewer for women and two drinks per day or fewer for men.

The researchers found that those who drank only wine had the biggest reduction in cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, compared with non-drinkers, heavy drinkers or those who drank other types of alcohol.

Some improvement was also seen in HDL or "good" cholesterol in those who took up drinking.

The researchers say this reduced risk took into account physical activity, body mass index, demographic and cardiac risk factors and there was no difference in deaths over the four-year follow up.

Dr. King says he was surprised that the effect was so large and so quick and suggests that "for carefully selected individuals" a heart healthy diet may include limited alcohol consumption even among individuals who have not included alcohol previously.

However the researchers do caution against the known adverse effects of drinking alcohol and do not advise people with liver problems or cancer to promptly start drinking.

Experts say the study does add to previous evidence that alcohol in moderation provides some protection for the heart but they also say alcohol is not a panacea for good heart health.

The study "Adopting Moderate Alcohol Consumption in Middle-age" appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Medicine.