[howard (OP)]

I am struggling to get my cholestorol down but drink cider. How much is in an average pint.

[ROBERT]

" Thursday, 9 January, 2003, 02:59 GMT

Frequent tipple cuts heart risk

Not only does alcohol help to ward off a heart attack, a regular daily drink is probably a good idea, researchers have found.
They have found that frequent consumption of alcohol is linked to a lower risk of heart attack in men.

However, experts have warned that alcohol can damage health in other ways...

The researchers examined the effect of drinking red and white wine, beer and spirits.

They found all appeared to cut the risk of heart attack.

In the long term, alcohol should not be used to protect the heart
 
Dr Mukamal said alcohol helped to raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) in the body. However, it might also improve the way the body breaks down sugars in the blood, and reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack.

He said: "It seems that alcohol's influence on platelets and clotting is relatively short-term.

"This could explain why frequent alcohol intake is of greatest benefit in helping to guard against coronary heart disease." "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2638399.stm