More evidence is emerging that consuming alcohol can be good for your health, this time dampening the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), regardless of gender (although this connection was stronger in men).

Scientists compared the health of 873 RA patients to that of some 1,000 folks who didn't suffer from the debilitating disease, using detailed questionnaires, physical exams, x-rays and blood work to pinpoint differences related to alcohol consumption.

The sobering truth for teetotalers like me: Those who imbibed at least 10 days out of each month were four times less likely to develop RA than patients who didn't drink a drop of alcohol. What's more, a patient's RA risks declined depending on the frequency of their alcohol consumption. And, among RA patients who drank alcohol most frequently, their symptoms were less severe compared to the teetotalers and infrequent drinkers

Although scientists weren't absolutely certain about the reasons alcohol had an effect on RA, it may have something to do with suppression of the body's immune system, thus influencing the way this disease develops. In fact, it's entirely possible that RA suppression may vary depending on the kind of alcoholic beverage consumed too.

Rheumatology July 28, 2010 Free Full Text Study

USA Today July 31, 2010

ScienceDaily July 28, 2010