P.O.V. - Drinking: Does health matter when making decisions about alcohol consumption?

Two studies by the University of Calgary show moderate alcohol consumption can have health benefits, the Toronto Star reported Wednesday.

The first study, led by doctoral student Paul Ronksley, found that moderate consumption can reduce the risk of death from cardiac diseases by up to 25 per cent.

Co-author Susan Brien said the results should be enough to convince scientists to stop studying the association between drinking and heart disease, and concentrate more on the types of patients that would benefit from moderate drinking.

A second study showed moderate drinking helps the heart by lowering certain risk factors, including inflammation and blood vessel clotting.

The benefits depend on low levels of drinking, said Brien, who led the second study. Women should stick to one glass a day and two glasses for men, she advised. People wanting to use alcohol as a prevention strategy for heart disease should consult their physician, she said.

The studies were published in the British Medical Journal on Tuesday.

How aware are you of the perceived health benefits of alcohol consumption? How does that awareness affect your drinking habits?

(This survey is not scientific. It is based on readers' responses.)