Spanish research involving more than 15,500 men and 26,000 women found alcohol consumption to more beneficial for men than for women when measuring the risk of coronary artery disease. Drinking less than a shot of vodka a day reduced risk was reduced by 35% while for those who drank anything from three shots to more than 11 shots each day, the risk worked out an average of 50% less. This beneficial effect is thought to be mediated by 'good cholesterol' or high density lipoproteins.
For those drinking little - less than a shot of vodka a day for instance - the risk was reduced by 35%. And for those who drank anything from three shots to more than 11 shots each day, the risk worked out an average of 50% less.
The same benefits were not seen in women, who suffer fewer heart problems than men to start with. Researchers speculated this difference could be down to the fact that women process alcohol differently, and that female hormones protect against the disease in younger age groups.
The Stroke Association meanwhile noted that overall, evidence indicated that people who regularly consumed a large amount of alcohol had a three-fold increased risk of stroke.
In the UK, the recommendation is no more than two to three units of alcohol a day for women - the equivalent of one standard glass of wine - and three to four units for men.
Alcohol 'protects men's hearts'