Women more vulnerable to alcohol's long-term effects

Washington, Oct 5 : Women are more likely to have long-term effects of alcohol than men, says a new study.

The new research from Japan has revealed that women break down alcohol more slowly than men do.

If a woman and a man drink identical glasses of wine with the same meal, the former is likely to have a higher blood level of alcohol, and for a longer time.

This means her tissues are exposed to more alcohol per drink than a man's.

The researchers suggest that too much alcohol is bad for a woman's heart and arteries, and earlier work shows it can be hazardous to breast tissue too.

The current guidelines recommend one to two drinks a day for men and no more than one a day for women.

The study appears in the October 2008 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter.

ANI