“One glass of red wine every day. It is good for your heart.”

That advice has been passed around like a prescription.

It should not be.

No amount of alcohol has been proven to protect your heart. If you do not drink, please do not start because you believe it will make you healthier.

The World Health Organization states that no amount of alcohol is risk-free for overall health. Alcohol causes cancer, and the risk begins with the first amount consumed. Drinking less reduces the risk.

What about the heart benefits reported in older studies?

Those studies could not prove that alcohol produced the better outcomes. Other differences in people’s lives may have explained the results. The American Heart Association confirms that drinking alcohol has not been proven to cause better heart health. Even moderate drinking may raise blood pressure in some people.

If you already drink, this is not about shame. Cutting down still protects your health.

Remember that “one drink” is a measured quantity. A large wine glass or bottle may contain more than one drink.

The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk. None is the lowest-risk choice.