A drink a day 'good for middle-aged women'

Women in their 50s who drink a glass of alcohol each day are more likely to be healthier than teetotallers in old age, new research suggests.

A long-term study carried out in the United States found women in their 50s who were regular moderate drinkers were more likely to enjoy overall good health when they reached 70.

They tended to be free of chronic diseases such as diabetes, fitter and without mental health problems compared to women who abstained or drank more heavily.

The study suggested that spreading out alcohol consumption during the week compared with drinking on just one or two days provided greater health benefits.

But the findings sparked warnings from health experts who argued alcohol had a detrimental effect on people as they aged, particularly in relation to accidents and falls.

The study by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston was based on regular surveys of about 14,000 nurses who were in their 50s when the research began in the mid 1970s.

Their alcohol consumption was regularly checked before their overall health was assessed when they reached their 70s.

After stripping out factors which could affect their health, such as smoking, nearly 11 per cent of the women were judged to have achieved "successful ageing" as they were free from 11 chronic conditions including cancer and diabetes at 70.

They were also mentally sharp and physically fit.

Women who drank between one third and one alcoholic drink a day had a 20 per cent higher chance of being in overall good health than teetotallers.

Compared to women who didn't drink, those who drank five to seven days a week had an almost 50 per cent greater chance of good overall health at 70.

Those who drank wine, but not beer or liquor were more likely to fall into the "successful ageing" club.

"These data suggest that regular, moderate consumption of alcohol at mid-life may be related to a modest increase in overall health status among women who survive to older ages," the researchers said.

The researchers noted that while other studies had raised concerns about moderate alcohol consumption increasing the risk of breast cancer, their study suggested the benefits of moderate drinking outweighed the risks.

But associate professor Jayne Lucke, from The University of Queensland's Centre for Clinical Research, said the study was not evidence that drinking is good for you.

It was not healthy to go beyond the recommended guidelines of no more than two standard alcoholic drinks a day, she said.

"Also, drinking a small amount of alcohol may not cause women to age healthily - rather women who regularly drink a small amount may also have a number of other characteristics, such as good health, an active social life, and a healthy appetite, that all work together to promote successful ageing," she said.

Professor Jennie Connor, of the Dunedin School of Medicine at New Zealand's University of Otago, said she did not believe the study was a reliable measure the health effects of alcohol.

"I feel very strongly that there is no scientific justification for the promotion of alcohol as health-enhancing for any subgroup of the population," she said.

"The potential for harm is great, and the potential for good is unknown."

The study was published in the PLoS Medicine journal.