(November 20, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

Drinking alcohol of any type may reduce the risk of heart disease by more than half, at least among men, according to research published online ahead of print in Heart.

Here are some other heart-healthy habits:

•    Avoid all products containing tobacco, including secondhand smoke

•    Be physically active every day

•    Eat a heart-healthy diet, including lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products

Researchers from CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP) in Barcelona followed the health as well as the food, drink, and lifestyle habits of over 15,000 men and nearly 26,000 women for an average of about ten years. The investigators looked at the relationship between how much alcohol the participants drank, regardless of whether it was derived from beer, wine, or liquor, and their heart health.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) events such as heart attacks and strokes occurred in 481 men and 128 women during the study period. Men who drank a moderate, high, or very high amount of alcohol were up to 54% less likely to have a CHD event. This same association was not seen among women.

Today's research highlights the potentially heart-healthy benefits of drinking alcohol, at least among men.