A Spanish research has recently revealed that daily consumption of alcohol reduces the risk of heart diseases in men by more than a third. The research, which studied over 15,500 men and 26,000 women, was quick to assert that female drinkers did not benefit as much.

Despite the findings, experts have been quick to warn that daily consumption of alcohol in large quantities puts people at an increased risk of other diseases, and alcohol accounts for as many as 1.8 deaths every year, all over the world. It is interesting to note that the study was conducted in Spain, a country with high levels of consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages, and low levels of heart diseases.

Viewing the study with a critical eye, British Heart Foundation's senior cardiac nurse, Cathy Ross said, "Whilst moderate alcohol intake can lower the risk of having a heart attack, coronary heart disease is just one type of heart disease. Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, is associated with high alcohol intake and can lead to a poor quality of life and premature death".

The study, which included both male and female subjects ranging from ages 29 to 69, has been detailed in the journal Heart. Experts have called the findings "highly unusual" and called for more research before people start putting them into practice.