Medicine isn't an exact science. It's something that's fairly obvious if you ever read or watch the news. It seems like it's virtually every day that doctors find out something new about our bodies. This new evidence usually directly refutes previously held medical ideas. For years we've all been told that cucumber is good for us and then they suddenly turn around and warn us not to eat too much of it (this is just a hypothetical example - we're pretty sure cucumber is still relatively harmless unless used as a weapon).

There is one thing, however, that probably causes more controversy and confusion than any other. That's right, you've guessed it, it's alcohol. Now we all know that too much booze is bad for us. Most of us can probably say from experience that drinking a bit too much doesn't make you feel great the next day. So, moderation is always the key. We heartily recommend drinking for pleasure and to enjoy the huge variety of incredible tastes and flavours out there, rather than knocking it back too quickly. But it gets really confusing when we're also now fairly sure that alcohol also has many positive effects on the body too. So just how is it good for us?

It's often been noted that the people of the Mediterranean are very healthy, thanks largely to the great climate and good diet. But they also enjoy drinking the odd bottle or two of wine. Something, it has been noted, that is good for their health. It's more than just an observation, however. For something to be regarded as scientifically proven it needs to be tested.

Research carried out by Dr. Arthur Klatsky, a cardiologist in California, extensively tested the benefits of alcohol. He found, in a survey of 80,000 people, those who drank were significantly less likely to suffer a heart attack or heart problems than those that didn't. Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly why this is but they believe it's because alcohol helps the body to improve the levels of HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).

All in all, this is great news. Of course, there are some recommended limits you should keep within in order to receive the maximum benefits of booze. Those are the same recommended limits you'll find on government advertising and usually the side of the bottle. So, now you can enjoy a delicious glass of red wine, a refreshing cold beer or a sumptuous single malt, all safe in the knowledge that you are doing your body good. It turns out that the old toast 'to your health' is actually much closer to the truth than any of us knew.

So, why not treat yourself to a really good quality bottle of wine or spirits. Don't you think your body deserves it?