One alcoholic drink a day could raise risk of heart disease, study concludes

One alcoholic drink a day could be enough to increase the risk of heart disease, according to research contradicting claims that low to moderate consumption has a protective effect.

Previous studies have suggested that drinking 12 to 25 units a week could be good for the heart but research published in the BMJ on Friday, using data from more than 260,000 participants in 56 studies, found that even light drinkers can reduce their risk of coronary heart disease and blood pressure by cutting down.

Juan Casas, professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which led the study, along with UCL and Pennsylvania University, said the message was clear that the less you drink the better.