No one wants to be told that they have to become a teetotaler to be healthy, but the reality is that alcohol isn't great for your cardiovascular system.
"Alcohol in general is not good for your heart," says Jennifer Haythe, a cardiologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, tells TODAY. That doesn't mean you can't drink at all — you just have to be moderate.
But here in the platinum age of wine and whiskey, what does moderation even mean?
Drinking in moderation is defined by the CDC as two drinks or fewer a day for men and one drink a day for women. Although some studies have shown that consuming small amounts of red wine may have health benefits due to compounds like resveratrol, says Dr. Icilma Fergus, director of cardiovascular disparities at Mount Sinai Medical Center, alcohol of any type can still be toxic.
Large amounts of alcohol can harm the heart muscle, impair judgement and increase risk of heart attack and stroke. So try to keep your heart in mind as you wine and dine your sweetie — or yourself — this Valentine's Day. Nothing says love like a healthy heart.
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