One drink a day might prevent a stroke-but don't overdo it
However, heavier drinkers—those who imbibed about three drinks or more a day—increased their stroke risk. The authors say heavy alcohol intake may contribute to stroke by raising blood pressure and by encouraging the development and growth of blood clots that can block blood vessels supplying the brain. The current recommendation for women is to have no more than one drink a day, but check with your doctor to make sure it's healthy for you to drink.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
