Alcohol can be a double edged sword for health.
However, there is a J shaped curve for mortality and alcohol consumption which has been noted in numerous validated studies.
http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/2163/Essentially a glass of wine (50 ml) per day reduces the risk of cardiovascular death compared to non drinkers.
The J shaped curve is oft quoted and very misleading - the graph should actually be a straight line.
The J part of the curve represents reformed alcoholics and previous very heavy drinkers whose live expectancy will be less than their piers even though they have stopped or considerably reduced their consumption because of the damage already caused to their bodies.
