London - Wine-lovers breathed a collective sigh of relief when research suggested that a daily glass was good for you.
Unfortunately, it turns out that the benefits might only apply to people who have the right genes.
Swedish scientists have challenged claims that moderate alcohol consumption of seven drinks a week for women and 14 for men has widespread health benefits.
Their study of more than 3 600 people found small quantities of alcohol protected against heart disease for just the three in 20 with a variant of a gene known as genotype CETP TaqIB.
The findings, published in the journal Alcohol, back earlier studies linking the mutation with the health benefits of alcohol. Professor Dag Thelle, of the University of Gothenburg, suggested the advice frequently given about the benefits of alcohol is far too sweeping because moderate drinking is healthy just for a minority.
He added: “Moderate drinking has a protective effect among only 15 percent of the population.”
Co-author Lauren Lissner said: “Moderate drinking alone does not have a strong protective effect. Nor does this genotype. But the combination of the two appears to significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
Professor Thelle said: “It may be a simple matter one day to determine whether someone belongs to the lucky 15 percent.” - Daily Mail