Having a drink every day may actually be good for you, according to a recent new study.
It claims that people who enjoy a regular tipple are less likely to develop heart disease than those who abstain altogether.
A research review goes on to say that, for some, the risk factor could be reduced by as much as 25%.
Tests have shown that a low alcohol consumption can also improve cholesterol levels and reduce certain important blood compounds that are linked to inflammation.
The news means that women are able to consume up to 2 units of alcohol, the equivalent to one medium glass of wine, or a large gin and tonic after work each evening, without being concerned about adverse health consequences.
For men, daily consumption of up to 3.
75 units, the equivalent to 2 pints of medium strength lager, does not appear to give cause for concern.
The study does not differentiate different types of alcoholic drink, nor does it cite red wine as being preferable.
At present, NHS advice is to limit alcohol intake to 14 units per week for women and 21 units for men.
This new research goes further, stating that a modest alcohol consumption may actually improve health, rather than damaging it.
The research, published in the online BMJ, by a group from Canada's Calgary Institute for Population and Public Health, showed that the above levels of alcohol consumption appeared to reduce the risk of heart disease by between 14 and 25% It also shows a reduction in the risk of dying from heart disease reduced by 25% and of suffering a stroke, by 2%.
It does, however, highlight that drinking heavily dramatically increased the risk of all of the above health threats.