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WHAT'S NEW
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How to drink to protect your heart
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Drinking red wine can reduce your risk of heart disease but too much can boost breast cancer risk. Explore the benefits and risks of sipping alcoholic drinks.
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By Rosie Schwartz
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Consuming alcohol on a regular basis comes with other health risks, including liver disease and higher odds of developing breast cancer. One recent investigation was carried out by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health. The Nurses' Health Study tracked 122,000 women and found that postmenopausal women who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol face an increased risk of breast cancer. But as in alcohol's connection with heart disease, there are factors to keep in mind. Folate again seems to be a piece of the puzzle.
An Australian study published in the British Medical Journal last August showed that high folate intake reduced the increased risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol.
Based on these findings, Dr. Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the lead researchers on the Nurses' Health Study, suggests that women who drink alcohol on a regular basis take a multivitamin pill containing folic acid.
Willett also emphasizes the importance for women of maintaining a healthy weight in reducing disease risks. And during the holiday season, without a sound game plan, alcohol can wreak havoc with your waistline-management efforts. Having a drink on an empty stomach, for example, can lead to the hijacking of the first appetizer tray you spy. An empty stomach absorbs alcohol more quickly, lowering your blood sugar level. This triggers hunger, and before you know it, you'll be digging into the alfresco food offerings with gusto. Have a snack before you head out to party and save yourself some regret.
Share your advice for staying healthy in our forums.
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