Before you sip that wine or chug that beer for medicinal purposes, read on. Recently, there have been plenty of claims about the almost miraculous health benefits of red wines. You would think we finally have a wonder drug to fight heart disease. The truth is that the good effect of alcohol is actually quite small when compared to many known health benefits of regular exercise, not smoking, and controlling diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

There are several scientific studies that do, however, show that moderate alcohol consumption may decrease the chance of developing heart disease by up to 30%. It is felt the most important way moderate alcohol consumption helps prevent heart disease is that it raises your blood levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. HDL cholesterol removes plaque build-up within arteries making heart attacks less likely. Alcohol may also help prevent some blood clots.

Moderate consumption in these studies was defined as one or two drinks per day. More was definitely NOT better. People who drink more than that have a much higher risk of dying from stroke, liver disease, cancer, accidents, suicide and homicide.

Alcohol is alcohol. There is no definite proof that red wines are any better for you than white wines, beer or spirits (sorry Bordeaux!).

So what is my best advice regarding alcohol and the heart?

If you don't drink, think about remaining a teetotaler. Many people have been hurt by the effects of alcohol and the benefits to the heart may not be worth the potential risks to you.

You should not drink if you are under 21 years old, pregnant, or have liver disease, certain blood disorders, heart failure, severe high blood pressure or a history of alcoholism.

If you do drink, one or two drinks per day may be considered safe and can be part of your total diet and exercise program to help prevent heart disease.

Never drink and drive. Nationwide, more than 50,000 lives are lost (and countless hearts broken) each year by drunken drivers.