A recent study shows people without alcoholic risk factors can enjoy alcohol in moderation and benefit from an improved immune system as a result.
People with a history of alcohol abuse or other risk factors are typically advised not to drink.
However, a recent study shows people without these risk factors can enjoy alcohol in moderation and benefit from an improved immune system as a result.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University chose a type of monkey known for having an immune system very similar to humans. They split 12 monkeys into 2 groups: one had access to a 4 percent ethanol drink and the other sugar water. Both had access to food and plain water, and were vaccinated against the small pox virus.
For 14 months, their behavior was analyzed. Within the group drinking alcohol, some monkeys drank in excess while others kept their drinking moderate. At 7 months, the groups reacted very differently to a booster shot. The monkeys drinking excessively didn’t produce antibodies in response to vaccine, while the monkeys drinking moderately had an immune response better than the control group on sugar water.
Additional already proven benefits of moderate drinking include better heart function and lowered chance of Alzheimer’s. Still, researchers emphasize and caution that excessive drinking will hurt your immune system and overall health.
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