Even minimal levels of alcohol may influence both short- and long-term health.

A large meta-analysis of over 360,000 adults and 90,000 newly diagnosed hypertensives found that men who averaged 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day had an increased risk for high blood pressure (RR 1.2). As their alcohol intake increased, so did their hypertension risk. In the women, risk began to increase at 3 or more drinks per day.

PositiveTip: Evidence is growing that any level of alcohol is not safe.