If you are female and enjoy a daily serving or two of wine, beer or liquor, you may be helping to prevent weight gain. Researchers from Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston found that women who drank the equivalent of a glass or two of wine a day gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese than women who didn't drink at all. They also had less risk of becoming overweight than women who drank too much. The study was based on data collected by the Women's Health Study and followed 19,000 women for about 12.9 years.

This effect isn't seen in men, and researchers hypothesize that men tend to add alcohol to their food intake, while women substitute alcohol for other foods. Although I feel drinking a glass or two of red wine a day for its beneficial antioxidant activity can be part of a healthy lifestyle, alcohol is not benign. Women should limit their intake to no more than two glasses daily, and shouldn't start drinking alcohol if they currently do not. Keep in mind the best way to manage weight is through prudent, regular exercise and a healthful diet.

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