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Alcohol has its Good Points

A new study shows that moderate consumption of alcohol helps to prevent blood clots.

Past studies have shown that red wine inhibits blood platelet function, and platelets that clump together are responsible for forming potentially harmful clots.
In the study, 12 casual drinkers were assessed before drinking alcohol, and then at intervals of 20 minutes and six hours after drinking two ounces of alcohol. By simulating the conditions of blood flow during a heart problem, researchers were able to measure the effects of alcohol on the formation of blood clots. They discovered that blood clot formation was significantly decreased by rates of between 57 and 68 percent (depending on blood flow rates) at both time intervals it was measured.
Researchers believe this is the first study to demonstrate that moderate alcohol consumption had a positive effect on the heart both at the time of peak alcohol concentration (which is 20 minutes after drinking) as well as six hours later when blood alcohol levels have returned to normal. Interestingly, both men and women showed an equal benefit from the effects of the alcohol.
The delayed effects of the alcohol are especially important since any kind of treatment that helps stop blood clots can decrease the risk of heart attacks and other problems. Although further study is needed, it seems that one to two drinks a day could have an anti-clotting effect on the blood.