Article 1 (Jan 2017): Alcohol Influences Stroke Rate

A review of data from 27 studies suggests that one or two drinks per day is linked with lower risk of stroke.  On the other hand, more than two drinks raised the risk of stroke.  The study, by the Karolinska Institutet of Sweden, compared data about two-a-day drinkers to non-drinkers and occasional drinkers.  Light drinkers had an 8% reduced risk of ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blockage of an artery supplying blood to the brains.  It is the most common form of stroke.  Four-a-day drinkers had an 8% increase risk of ischemic stroke.  With more than four drinks, the risk rose to 14%.  Heavier drinking also increased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, in which a blood vessel near the brain bursts, by a whopping 82%.  Moderate drinking did not raise the rate of hemorrhagic stroke.  This research, published in BMC Medicine, did not study people directly but analyzed data about people from 27 other studies.