What is the effect of alcohol on men’s health?

The toughest question about alcohol today isn't whether to shake or stir that martini. It's whether that martini is going to hurt or help your health. If you've been following the news about alcohol, it's enough to give you whiplash: One study says alcohol is good, the next says it's bad.

For instance, in excess, alcohol is bad for your liver, but in moderation it's good for your heart. In fact, moderate alcohol consumption can cut your risk of heart disease by 25% to 40%. That's because the ethanol in an alcoholic drink increases good cholesterol and discourages blood clots -- and healthier arteries mean fewer heart attacks, strokes, wrinkles, memory lapses, and -- for men -- better sexual function.

How much alcohol should you drink for optimal health benefits? Two drinks (no more!) per day -- be it wine, beer, or hard liquor -- can make your RealAge up to 7.7 years younger.

Although these guidelines seem straightforward, it's easy to overindulge. For example, you may think you're having one drink when, because of the amount of alcohol in the beverage, you're really having two. The size of your glass can also trick your eyes. RealAge considers a standard drink to be about a half-ounce of alcohol. That translates to roughly 12 fluid ounces of regular beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof liquor/distilled spirits, and 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.

Another area of confusion regarding the definition of "moderation" lies in the distribution of drinks throughout the week. Having several drinks on Saturday night -- binge drinking -- isn't equivalent to having one or two drinks each evening. The benefits vanish and alcohol turns toxic, aging your immune system and stressing your heart.

Some men shouldn't touch any form of liquor. According to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid alcohol if any of the following apply:

• You've been diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol abuse. (If you don't have alcoholism but you have a family history of alcoholism, check with your doctor before drinking.)
• You take medications that can interact with alcohol.
• You've had a previous hemorrhagic stroke.
• You have liver or pancreatic disease.
• You have heart failure or you've been told you have a weak heart or dilated cardiomyopathy.

For those who have the option to drink, here's the bottom line: If you don't drink now, don't start. If you do drink, stick to no more than two per day and you'll reap the benefits of booze without the downside.

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