A new study has disclosed that intake of wine in moderate quantities can reduce cardiac risk.

The researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) carried out the study with more than 7,500 people aged between 45 and 64.

During the ten years study, 6% became moderates drinkers. Normally this amounted to a drink per day or fewer for women and two drinks per day or fewer for men.

After four years follow-up, new moderate drinkers found to have a 38% lower chance of having heart or artery disease as compared to those who continued to spurn alcohol.

The findings published in The American Journal of Medicine showed that new drinkers who took only wine appeared to benefit most. Their cardiovascular risk of was 68% lower than non-drinkers. Drinkers of other types of alcohol, such as beer or spirits, had an advantage over teetotalers, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Dana E King of MUSC stated, “A substantial cardiovascular benefit from adopting moderate alcohol drinking in middle age appears supported by the study.

“The findings suggest that, for carefully selected individuals, a ‘heart-healthy diet’ may include limited alcohol consumption even among individuals who have not included alcohol previously.”

The study researchers also saw differences in cholesterol as well as blood pressure level between the drinkers and non-drinkers. Levels of “bad” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were much lower among new drinkers, and levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol higher.