There is good evidence that moderate alcohol consumption protects against heart disease, but when all of the chronic disease risks are balanced against each other, the optimal consumption level is much lower than many people believe. Researchers analyzed the link between alcohol consumption and 11 chronic diseases (five cancers, coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, and diabetes), and concluded that limiting alcohol consumption to half a drink a day (1/2 glass of wine or 1/2 can of beer) would save more lives.
BMJ Open, May 2012